Oakland thieves swipe band’s U-Haul packed with instruments before tour

The Brief

  • A Los Angeles-based band, Moonchild, had a rental truck with all its instruments and touring gear stolen in Oakland, forcing multiple show cancellations across California.
  • Surveillance video shows suspects stealing the 20-foot U-Haul; tracking devices inside were later found discarded around the city.
  • The band faces significant financial losses not fully covered by insurance and has launched a GoFundMe while police investigate.

OAKLAND, Calif. A band scheduled to perform across California is reeling after thieves in Oakland stole a rental truck with their instruments and equipment.

“As far as what was in the U-Haul, it was everything for our touring party,” said Andria Mattson of Moonchild, a Los Angeles-based neo-soul jazz band. “It was our musical instruments, our stage design, lighting gear, and audio gear that we’ve been renting.”

Shows canceled across state

Big picture view:

The theft forced the band to cancel and reschedule performances in Berkeley, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego.

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