Three Suspects Arrested for Robbing State Mining and Mineral Museum

by Elizabeth Warmerdam , November 14, 2012

MARIPOSA – Three men who allegedly stole around $1.3 million worth of precious gems and gold from the Mining and Minerals Museum nearly two months ago were arrested.

California State Mining and Mineral Museum

Edward Rushing III, 40, from El Dorado County, Matthew Campbell, 43, from Sutter County, and Jonathan Matis, 41, from Sutter County, were arrested on Tuesday and booked into Mariposa County Jail. Matis and Campbell were booked in suspicion of robbery and other charges, and Rushing was taken into custody on suspicion of multiple felonies, including drug charges. The suspects were linked to other crimes in Sacramento and Placer counties, authorities said.

Their arrest on Tuesday stems from the Step. 28 heist of the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa. The suspects entered the museum dressed in black and wearing hoods to conceal their identities. They threatened a guide and curator with packaxes, smashed open display cases, and were able to make off with more than $1 million worth of artifacts in the span of two minutes. The museum was open at the time of the heist.

Fricot Nugget

The robbers attempted to steal the Fricot Nugget, a 14-pound crystalline gold rock, but were unable to because they triggered an alarm that alerted authorities to their presence. Although police quickly swarmed the building, they were unable to apprehend the suspects at the time.

The California Highway Patrol has been in charge of the investigation into the robbery because it took place on state property. Investigators are interviewing the three suspects to determine if anyone else was involved in the crime.

Authorities have not revealed if the stolen items were recovered.

The museum just reopened its doors on Monday after being closed for a month and a half to make repairs due to the robbery.

San Francisco Chronicle: 3 Arrested in Calif. Mining Museum Heist

Merced Sun Star: Three Men Arrested in Mariposa Mining and Mineral Museum Robbery

Three Suspects Arrested for Robbing State Mining and Mineral Museum was last modified: January 11th, 2019 by admin

Categories: Mariposa

Tags: robbery

About Author

Elizabeth Warmerdam

Beth Warmerdam is a freelance journalist based out of Reedley. She graduated from Fresno State in 2004 with a BA in print journalism and has worked for several newspapers and magazines. In addition to writing, Beth enjoys being a stay-at-home mom, trying to keep up with her 2-year-old son, Zachary.