Good Morning America meteorologist Ginger Zee has told her fans she is ‘thankful to be safe’ after her car was broken into in Oakland, California, in an apparent ‘smash and grab’ crime amid a wave of robberies in the area.
Mother-of-two Ginger, 43, shared a photo of the back seat of her car, which was covered in glass, on Instagram on Wednesday morning as she revealed she and her colleagues had only been gone for 20 minutes and their belongings were ‘out of sight’ ‘.
Addressing her 1.1 million followers, the mother-of-two wrote: ‘Smash & grab was NOT what we had on our bingo card… that’s for sure. Grateful that I’m safe, the stuff they stole will be replaced… but it makes me sad for the people who do this.
‘Whatever circumstance leads someone to make that choice of crime, I hope you know that you stole things that are also very meaningful to me – things my children made for me that I travel with, etc., passport, my glasses – which I’m sure know they are all in the trash and the technology is being sold,” Ginger continued, before giving her fans some advice.
Good Morning America meteorologist Ginger Zee told her fans she’s ‘thankful to be safe’ after her car was broken into in Oakland, California
The 43-year-old TV star posted a shocking photo of her damaged vehicle covered in glass
Mother of two Ginger is no stranger to traveling for her job at ABC News
‘IMPORTANT: Something we learned that I want to pass on: they focus on rental cars and specifically hatchbacks. Our stuff was out of sight, low, covered, etc. and we only grabbed food and used the bathroom. 20 minutes maximum.
‘The car was parked across the street where we stopped between takes. It was a beautiful, sunny day, about 2 p.m.
“Lesson learned: always take everything inside with you, wherever you are,” the TV star added.
People were quick to respond to Ginger’s shocking post, including her ABC colleague Deborah Roberts, who wrote: ‘So sad. I learned that hard lesson years ago when my stuff was in plain view, but the car was parked just outside a hair salon.
“It’s a miserable and heartbreaking feeling of violation. Sorry about this ginger. Really terrible!’ Al Roker’s wife added.
ABC News correspondent Steve Osunsami said, “Oh no. It happened to a good friend at CNN – while they were writing a story – on this topic. Glad you’re doing well.’
And another ABC correspondent Rebecca Jarvis wrote: ‘I’m so sorry, Ging! The same thing happened to us during a shoot in SF when we went to lunch.’
Today host Lara Spencer added: “Ugh ginge. We are so sorry this happened to you. The stuff can be replaced, but it’s still such a hassle. And scary. So glad you’re doing well. Come home safe.”
Ginger travels the country in her role as a meteorologist and often finds herself embroiled in potentially dangerous weather
Ginger, pictured here with her husband Ben Aaron and their sons, said the thieves stole items her children let her travel with
And one follower claimed: ‘Unfortunately my friends who live in California tell me this happens every day in every major city in the state, very sad.’
Oakland saw a 21 percent increase in violent crimes, a 38 percent increase in robberies and a 45 percent increase in vehicle thefts between 2021 and 2023, according to police data.
In February, California Governor Gavin Newsom reportedly censured Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao for failing to request funding to combat retail crime in the Bay Area.
In September 2023, the governor’s administration approved more than $267 million to local police departments and district attorneys’ offices across the state to combat organized retail theft.
The 55 winners used it to create task forces, hire and train new staff, and acquire new technologies.
But crime-ridden Oakland didn’t benefit because it missed the application deadline — something Newsom wasn’t happy about, according to Robert Harris of the Oakland NAACP.
Newsom also deployed 120 California Highway Patrol in Oakland and Alameda County to assist with a wave of thefts that has led to the closure of several area businesses, including a Denny’s that had been open for 54 years.
Last month, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Taco Bell had indefinitely suspended all indoor dining at its Oakland locations after being subjected to a series of robberies amid rising crime in the neighborhood.
Business was limited to drive-thru services only — a sad new reality for many customers and families hoping to sit down for a quiet meal.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao in February for failing to request funding to combat retail crime in the Bay Area.
In September, the governor’s administration approved more than $267 million to local police departments and district attorney’s offices.
Oakland’s only In-N-Out Burger restaurant will close after 18 years due to high crime rates
Sources told DailyMail.com that four of five Taco Bell restaurants in Oakland – all operated by franchisor Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG) – have made the decision to lock their doors to customers amid a spike in violent crimes in the city.
The city’s only In N Out Burger also closed due to rising crime – the only restaurant the chain has ever closed in its history.
He said, “As crime rates decline across California – including across the bay in San Francisco – Oakland is seeing the opposite trend.
“What is happening in this beautiful city and surrounding area is alarming and unacceptable. “I am deploying the California Highway Patrol to support local efforts to restore the sense of safety that the hardworking people of Oakland and the East Bay demand and deserve.”
The CHP officers will tackle auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime and violent crime.