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Good Morning America's Ginger Zee reveals her car was broken into in a shocking 'smash and grab' robbery in broad DAYLIGHT in Oakland, California - as she rails against thieves for stealing 'very meaningful' items

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Good Morning America meteorologist Ginger Zee has told her fans she's 'grateful to be safe' after her car was broken into in Oakland, California, in an apparent 'smash and grab' crime amid a surge of robberies in the area. 

Mom-of-two Ginger, 43, took to Instagram on Wednesday morning to share a photo of the backseat of her vehicle, which was covered in glass, as she revealed she and her colleagues were only gone for 20 minutes and their belongings were 'not in plain 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 to be safe, the stuff they stole will be replaced… but it makes me sad for the folks that do this.

'Whatever circumstance gets someone to that choice of crime, I hope you know you stole things that are very meaningful to me too — items my kids made me I travel with etc, passport, my glasses - all of which I’m sure is trashed and the tech is being sold,' Ginger continued, before giving her fans some advice.

Good Morning America meteorologist Ginger Zee told her fans she's 'grateful to be safe' after her car was broken into in Oakland, California

Good Morning America meteorologist Ginger Zee told her fans she's 'grateful 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

The 43-year-old TV star posted a shocking photo of her damaged vehicle covered in glass

Mom-of-two Ginger is no stranger to traveling on the road for her job at ABC News

Mom-of-two Ginger is no stranger to traveling on the road for her job at ABC News

'IMPORTANT: Something we learned and I want to pass on: they have been targeting rental vehicles & specifically hatchbacks. Our items were not in plain sight, low, covered etc and we were only grabbing food and using the bathroom. 20 min tops.

'Car was parked right across the street from the salad joint we stopped at between shoots. It was a beautiful sunny day, about 2 pm.

'Lesson learned: bring everything inside with you at all times no matter where you are,' the TV star added.

People were quick to comment on Ginger's shocking post, including her ABC colleague Deborah Roberts, who wrote: 'So sad. I learned that tough lesson years ago when my items were in plain view but car was parked just outside a hair salon.

'It’s a miserable and gut wrenching feeling of violation. Sorry for this Ginger. Really awful!' Al Roker's wife added.

ABC News correspondent Steve Osunsami commented: 'Oh no. Happened to a good friend at CNN - as they were doing a story - on this very issue. Glad you’re all ok.'

And another ABC correspondent Rebecca Jarvis posted: 'I’m so sorry, Ging! The same thing happened to us on a shoot in SF when we went for lunch.'

Today host Lara Spencer added: 'Ugh ginge. So sorry this happened to you guys. The stuff can be replaced but still such a hassle. And scary. So glad you are ok. Get home safe.'

Ginger travels the country for her role as meteorologist and often gets caught up in potential dangerous weather

Ginger travels the country for her role as meteorologist and often gets caught up in potential dangerous weather

Ginger, pictured here with her husband Ben Aaron and their sons, said the thieves had stolen items that her kids make her travel with

Ginger, pictured here with her husband Ben Aaron and their sons, said the thieves had stolen items that her kids make her travel with

And one follower claimed: 'Unfortunately my friends that live in California tell me this happens every day in every major city in the state very sad.'

Oakland saw a 21 per cent increase in violent crime, a 38 per cent increase in robberies and a 45 per cent increase in vehicle thefts between 2021 and 2023, per police data. 

Back in February, California governor Gavin Newsom reportedly blasted Oakland mayor Sheng Thao for not applying to funds set aside to tackle retail crime in the Bay Area.

In September 2023, the governor's administration approved over $267 million to be given to local police departments and the offices of district attorneys in the state to battle against organized retail theft.

The 55 awardees used it to create task forces, hire and train new staff and obtain new technologies. 

But crime-ridden Oakland did not benefit, because it missed the application deadline - something Newsom was not happy about, according to Robert Harris of the Oakland NAACP.

Newsom has also deployed 120 California Highway Patrol in Oakland and the Alameda County to assist with a surge in thefts that has caused several businesses in the area to shut down, including a Denny's that had been open for 54 years.

Last month, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Taco Bell had suspended all indoor dining indefinitely at its Oakland locations after being subjected to a series of robberies amid surging crime in the neighborhood. 

Business was restricted to drive-thru service only – a sad new reality for many customers and families hoping to sit down for a peaceful meal. 

California governor Gavin Newsom reportedly blasted Oakland mayor Sheng Thao in February for not applying to funds set aside to tackle retail crime in the Bay Area

California governor Gavin Newsom reportedly blasted Oakland mayor Sheng Thao in February for not applying to funds set aside to tackle retail crime in the Bay Area

In September, the governor's administration approved over $267 million to be given to local police departments and the offices of district attorneys

In September, the governor's administration approved over $267 million to be given to local police departments and the offices of district attorneys

Oakland's only In-N-Out Burger restaurant is set to close after 18 years due to high crime rates

Oakland's only In-N-Out Burger restaurant is set to close after 18 years due to high crime rates

Sources told DailyMail.com that four of Oakland's five Taco Bell restaurants – all operated by franchiser Diversified Restaurant Group (DRG) – made the decision to lock their doors to customers amid a spike in violent crimes in the city. 

Also shuttered was the city's only In N Out Burger due to soaring crime - the only restaurant the chain has ever shuttered in its history. 

He said: 'As crime rates across California decrease — including right across the Bay in San Francisco — Oakland is seeing the opposite trend. 

'What’s happening in this beautiful city and surrounding area is alarming and unacceptable. I’m sending the California Highway Patrol to assist local efforts to restore a sense of safety that the hardworking people of Oakland and the East Bay demand and deserve.'

The CHP officers will be tackling auto theft, cargo theft, retail crime and violent crime.

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