Arrests Made in Mariposa Museum Robbery

By PRESS RELEASE

Edward Rushing

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November 14, 2012 Updated Nov 14, 2012 at 12:26 PM PDT

Authorities say arrests have been made in the robbery of gold from the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa.

On September 28th 2012 two suspects entered the museum and stole more than $1 million dollars worth of precious metals, mostly gold. The robbery occurred while the museum was open for business. The suspects smashed display cases to access gold and gems. The heist was captured on surveillance cameras within the museum.

The crime was aggressively investigated by the CHP's Central Division Investigative Services Unit, which followed numerous leads and physical evidence that culminated in today's arrests. CHP investigators, in cooperation with the Mariposa Sheriff's Department, Placer County Sheriff's Department, and Sacramento Police Department, identified those suspected of the robbery and linked them to other crimes in Sacramento and Placer counties.

This morning, authorities served two search warrants in El Dorado County and one each in Sacramento and Sutter counties. Arrested and under investigation are: Edward Rushing III, 40, from El Dorado County who was arrested for multiple felonies including drug charges and is believed to be a conspirator in the Mariposa heist. The second suspect, Matthew Campbell, 43, from Sutter County was arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery, vehicle theft and vandalism. A third suspect, Jonathan Matis, 41, also from Sutter County was arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery, vehicle theft and vandalism.

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests and charges may be forthcoming.