Disclaimer: This article contains information about a criminal act and may be distressing for some readers. Please read at your own discretion.
A popular LGBTQ+ nightclub in San Francisco was hit by a terrifying gunpoint robbery early Thursday morning.
Oasis nightclub, located at 11th and Folsom Streets in the South of Market neighborhood, became the scene of the crime just after 5 a.m. as three workers were cleaning up the venue.
Surveillance footage captured the robbers, who were dressed in head-to-toe disguises, using crowbars to force open a door to gain entry.
The club’s owner, D’Arcy Drollinger, described how the robbers were shocked to find the cleaning crew inside. This unexpected encounter led to a tense confrontation where guns were brandished.
Drollinger explained that the gunmen ordered the workers to the floor, demanding their wallets and phones. They aggressively searched for the safe, breaking down the office door after being directed by the workers.
The footage revealed that four robbers were involved. They disabled the surveillance cameras by destroying the internet equipment before ransacking the office.
Despite their efforts, the safe could not be opened. In a bizarre turn, the robbers helped themselves to drinks and high-end alcohol from the bar, causing further damage.
The entire ordeal lasted about 15 minutes. Fortunately, the workers were unharmed, though the estimated loss and damage amount to around $10,000.
Drollinger, San Francisco’s first-ever drag laureate, and a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate, expressed deep concern over the incident.
According to the source, he is now working to bolster security at the club, which has been a cornerstone of the community since its opening in 2015.
In a related incident, the nearby SF Eagle Bar, a historic gay leather bar, also faced an attempted break-in just before the Oasis robbery.
Owner Lex Montiel reported that their alarm system thwarted the burglars, marking the second such attempt within a month. Montiel has called for increased police patrols in the area, citing growing safety concerns.
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While there is no evidence linking these incidents to hate crimes, the coincidental targeting of LGBTQ+ businesses is unsettling.
Drollinger has launched an online fundraiser to cover the stolen items and repair costs, with supporters contributing over $20,000 so far.