Man arrested after gold theft from Hillsboro museum with sledgehammer

A man suspected of a Christmas Eve break-in at a Washington County museum in 2023 was arrested in late July as authorities continue to hunt for missing pieces of gold and minerals snatched from the exhibit.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man suspected of a Christmas Eve break-in at a Washington County museum in 2023 was arrested in late July as authorities continue to hunt for missing pieces of gold and minerals snatched from the exhibit.

On June 27, 2024, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office arrested the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Vincent Charles Roberts, after investigators pursued leads spanning several Oregon counties and into Vancouver, Washington to find him.

Investigators said they were able to track him down after they found some items believed to be stolen from the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals exhibits at a precious metal's buyer in the Salem area.

Roberts' arrest comes after his May 2024 indictment by a Washington County grand jury on several charges including second-degree burglary, criminal mischief, aggravated theft, and theft, along with a warrant for his arrest.

During the early morning break-in, Roberts allegedly smashed a window with a sledgehammer before climbing into the museum on Northwest Groveland Drive in unincorporated Washington County, authorities said.

Deputies responded to the break-in alarm around 2:20 a.m. and "found a broken window leading into the building and footprints heading south from the museum," WCSO said after the 2023 burglary. "Deputies immediately set up containment in the area and attempted a K9 track, but the individual managed to escape."

WATCH: Burglary suspect breaks into Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals

The sheriff's office added that “Deputies searched the museum with the help of museum staff, where they discovered a significant theft from a large display case containing numerous gold items. The total value of the missing items is not being reported at this time.”

“They found that several of the display cases had been smashed in and a substantial quantity of minerals and/or gold were taken from the museum,” said Deputy David Huey. “It’s like a piece of Oregon history that’s just gone.”

Authorities said many historical gold display items have not been recovered, noting the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.