Thieves struck The Lumpia Company twice in a single morning during FIFA World Cup
For many businesses, major sporting events bring an opportunity to connect communities and boost local economies. But for The Lumpia Company, the Oakland restaurant co-owned by Bay Area rap icon E-40, the excitement surrounding international soccer turned into a costly setback.
According to KRON-TV, the restaurant was burglarized twice on Sunday morning, with thieves making off with thousands of dollars worth of merchandise, electronics, and equipment — some of it purchased specifically to support upcoming FIFA World Cup-related events.
A Double Blow
The incidents occurred just as the restaurant was preparing to capitalize on growing soccer enthusiasm ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will bring matches and visitors to the Bay Area.
Co-owner Chef Alex Retodo said the burglars broke into the restaurant twice within hours, stealing a laptop, a kitchen blender, and additional equipment intended to help screen World Cup games for customers.
Retodo later shared security footage on Instagram, asking followers to help identify the suspects and expressing the emotional toll the theft has taken on the business.
“We won’t lie — this one hurts,” Retodo wrote. “Incidents like this make us think twice. When people steal from a small business, they’re not just taking equipment — they’re taking from the employees, the customers, the community events, and the dreams behind it all.”
More Than Missing Equipment
For small businesses, the impact of theft extends far beyond the value of stolen property. Retodo emphasized that the timing of the burglary could not have been worse, as the restaurant had planned to welcome customers with World Cup viewing events and celebrations.
Those plans were immediately disrupted.
“My partner called me on his jet and said, ‘Hey, what happened?’ He’s like, ‘I saw the news,’” Retodo told KRON. “I said, ‘E-40, we are going to be OK.’”
While the restaurant managed to move forward with some festivities, the experience was far from what ownership had envisioned.
“We wanted to open with a bang today, playing the [World Cup] games, but we had to turn customers away,” Retodo said. “We had a party outside; made it happen, but it wasn’t the same.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
Despite the setback, The Lumpia Company remains committed to being part of the Bay Area’s World Cup celebration. With the region set to serve as one of the host locations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the restaurant still plans to host watch parties and community gatherings in the future.
For now, however, Retodo and his team are focused on recovering from the losses, replacing critical equipment, and determining how upcoming events will move forward.
The burglary serves as a reminder of the challenges many independent businesses face — even during moments that should be marked by opportunity and optimism. As Oakland prepares for the global spotlight that comes with the World Cup, The Lumpia Company is hoping its next headline will be about bringing fans together, not rebuilding after a crime.