A family from Florida sent their son to attend Oakland University in California, but on the very day of their arrival, their car window was smashed by thieves who stole all their belongings, passports, and $3,000 in cash. They had no choice but to bring their child back to Florida.
Lincoln University freshman Rhomel Crossman arrived in Oakland last Saturday, June 15th, with plans to join the school’s football team as a defensive cornerback. However, a heartbreaking incident that day made the whole family reconsider that decision.
Around 6:15 pm that day, the family parked their rented Nissan Rogue at the corner of 15th Street and Franklin Street, just one block away from the university. They then went to a nearby Jamaican restaurant to grab some food.
About 15 minutes later, upon their return, they found the car window shattered and five suitcases missing. Besides clothes, the thief also ransacked a bag under the seat containing personal documents, including three passports, social security cards, Crossman’s birth certificate, and high school diploma.
According to the family, a witness saw a masked man driving a car without a license plate stealing everything.
Crossman’s mother, Nerrisa Murray Watson, told local KTVU news, “I never expected something like this to happen in America, so it’s really strange to me.”
As of March 2024, burglary cases in Oakland have increased by 32% compared to the previous year.
Murray Watson said they called 911 three times but were told the police couldn’t come and advised them to report the incident at the police station. She expressed her concern about her son’s safety in Oakland.
“I have to take my son back to Florida because it’s not safe here,” she told KTVU news.
As of the time of writing, Lincoln University has not commented on the matter.