Enterprising Oakland homeless camper racks up $800 with illegal parking lot

A train leaves the Coliseum BART station on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. A train leaves the Coliseum BART station on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. Photo: Noah Berger / Special To The Chronicle Photo: Noah Berger / Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Enterprising Oakland homeless camper racks up $800 with illegal parking lot 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

You have to hand it to the enterprising homeless camper near the Oakland Coliseum who made a killing at the two-day “Rolling Loud Bay Area” hip-hop festival.

The guy cut the gate lock off a fence opposite the Coliseum BART Station parking lot, donned a yellow vest and held up a hand-made sign reading “$20 Parking.”

A real bargain compared to the $40 being charged at the authorized lots.

By time police were called, the homeless attendant had parked at least 40 cars and collected a cash haul of at least $800 from their owners.

And apparently, it wasn’t the first time he’d done it — just the first time he’d been caught.

We’re told the man wasn’t arrested — just given a cease-and-desist order.

“At least he didn’t have to worry about his next meal,” said Oakland City Council President Larry Reid, whose district includes the Coliseum.

San Francisco Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call (415) 777-8815, or email matierandross@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @matierandross