HILLSBORO, Ore. – Investigators recovered tens of thousands of dollars-worth of gold and arrested a man who they believe stole the nuggets from a Hillsboro museum last Saturday.
Police said the suspect, identified as Jeffrey Ryan Harvey, was the great grandson of museum founders Richard and Helen Rice. His parents donated most of the gold to the museum, according to Sgt. David Thompson with the Washington County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators said the loot included one gold piece that weighed 42 ounces and was valued at over $50,000.
Linda Kepford, the Assistant Director of the Rice NW Museum of Rocks and Minerals, told deputies that the thieves passed by the other gems and only took the gold. The entire collection had been appraised at more than $250,000.
Slideshow: Photos of stolen gold nuggets
Harvey, 28, of Portland, was booked on burglary and theft charges and was being held in the Washington County Jail on $750,000 bail.
Investigators said clues led them to an apartment in Tigard for evidence. "During a search of the apartment they were able to recover most, if not all of the gold that was taken in the burglary," Thompson said.
The museum curator was scheduled to meet with detectives Thursday to identify the stolen gold and determine how much may still be missing.
The Rice NW Museum, located at 26385 NW Groveland Drive, is a popular destination for many school field trips and geology enthusiasts. Kepford said the collection of rocks and minerals may be the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It was founded by the Rice family in the 1930's.
