MARIPOSA – On the heels of the California Mining and Mineral Museum’s reopening, the California Highway Patrol announces the arrest of three suspects in the daring daylight heist on Sept. 28.
Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, the CHP, assisted by Mariposa and Placer County Sheriff’s Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – Division of Adult Parole Operations, and the Sacramento Police Department, served two search warrants in El Dorado County, and one each in Sacramento and Sutter counties, according to a news release from the CHP.Arrested and under investigation are:
Edward Rushing III, 40, from El Dorado County, who was arrested for multiple felonies, including drug charges. He 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.
A third suspect, Jonathan Matis, 41, also from Sutter County, was arrested for conspiracy to commit robbery, armed robbery, vehicle theft and vandalism.
CHP investigators, in cooperation with the Mariposa and Placer County Sheriff’s Departments, and the Sacramento Police Department, identified those suspected of the robbery and linked them to other crimes in Sacramento and Placer counties.
On Sept. 28, two suspects entered the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa, and made off with what was then estimated to be nearly $2 million in precious metals, mostly gold. The robbery occurred while the museum was open for business.
The suspects smashed display cases to access the gold and gems. The heist was captured on surveillance cameras inside the museum.
The CHP has jurisdiction for investigation crimes on state property.
The CHP’s Central Division Investigative Services Unit followed numerous leads and physical evidence that culminated in Tuesday’s arrests, according to the news release. They continue to handle the investigation with the assistance of California State Parks, the California Department of Justice and the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department.
Investigators have not said whether any of the items stolen have been recovered.
For the complete story on the robbery, click here.
