Man behind the mask identified in holiday Rice rock museum burglary

Months after a holiday heist at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals, a man is facing multiple charges for snatching a hunk of gold.

Investigators identified 33-year-old Vincent Charles Roberts as the suspect caught on surveillance video targeting a display case full of gold at the Hillsboro-area museum late December , the Washington County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday, Aug. 5.

Authorities honed in on Roberts after pursuing leads across counties and into Washington state, eventually discovering suspected stolen items at a precious metals buyer around Salem.

On May 28, a Washington County grand jury indicted Roberts on several charges, including second-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree aggravated theft and first-degree theft. Police issued a warrant for his arrest, and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office took him into custody on Thursday, June 27.

According to court records, Roberts also faces charges in Lane County for stealing a boat and fleeing police on May 3 — prior to his indictment for the gold theft.

Many of the display items remain to be recovered, and the investigation is ongoing, authorities said. Those with information are urged to contact investigators at 503-846-2700.