West Oakland dance studio hit by costly burglary

OAKLAND, Calif. ( KRON ) — A West Oakland dance studio is recovering from a costly burglary earlier this week. The owners say they are counting on the community to help them out.

The theft has set them back at least $10,000.

At least two thieves had Full Out Studios in West Oakland all to themselves early Monday morning. Co-owners Anthony Esposo and Rocko Luciano say the suspects broke in after-hours and ransacked the place.

“Now we have to change our bank account and that whole issue there and replace everything. So, it’s still annoying and hard to deal with,” said Esposo.

Esposo and Luciano say the burglars used a truck to back into the studio’s rolling gate and made entry through the open corner.

“One of them eventually finds the reception desk and finds the register. They start to kind of tug and finally realize that they can unhook it,” explained Luciano.

The loss of cash and assets from the burglary totals about $400, but Esposo and Luciano say the burglars caused more than $10,000 in damages. The studio has been in business eight years, hosting performers from throughout the Bay Area.

The owners filed a report with police. They say several attempts have been made to burglarize the studio over the years. This is the first time thieves were successful.

“We’re an arts organization. We’re not here to make, like, a whole bunch of money,” said Esposo. “There’s really not that much in arts, like, unfortunately. So, we do it mostly out of the kindness of our heart and we get a lot of fulfilment from it.”

“Being a business owner, you have to be resilient, and I have so much faith in this community for pulling through and really believing in us and believing in each other,” said Luciano. “So, I think we’re here to stay.”

The owners have started an online fundraiser to raise money for repairs, security upgrades and the installation of an HVAC system to make the studio more comfortable for dancers and instructors.

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