$300,000 to $500,000 In Gems Stolen From Montana Couple In Hillsboro, Police Say

HILLSBORO, OR — Between $300,000 and $500,000 in gems were stolen from a Montana couple following the Portland Regional Gem and Mineral Show at the Washington County Fairgrounds Oct. 15, and now Hillsboro police are asking the community for any information that could lead to the stolen property's recovery.

After the show, while Katie and Randy Gneiting of Columbus, Montana, ate at a Hillsboro McDonald's, located at 1215 N.E. 48th Ave., two suspects pulled a gray Dodge Journey alongside the Gneitings' gray 2014 Ford Expedition, a surveillance video of the robbery shows. The Gneitings had reportedly positioned themselves inside the restaurant so they could see their vehicle, but that apparently had no effect on the outcome.

After breaking into the Ford, the two suspected robbers took from the Gneitings' vehicle multiple 30-by-12-by-10-inch aluminum locking cases, each loaded with roughly 50 pounds of jewelry and gems spread across 30 trays in each case. Most of the gems were Yogo Sapphires, a rare gem exclusive to the Yogo Gulch in Judith Basin County, Montana, police said.

According to police, "it is apparent that the thieves knew exactly what they wanted and where it was located in the vehicle."

WATCH: Hillsboro Police Release Video Of Gem Robbery At Local McDonald's Restaurant

From Hillsboro police Detective Patrick Brady's YouTube Channel:

The suspect vehicle (a Dodge Journey) enters from the upper left corner of the screen and parks next to the victim vehicle near the upper right corner - after making some parking adjustments. Only the driver's side taillight is visible for the victim vehicle. Then two suspects enter the screen on foot from the right and go between the victim and suspect victim. This is when the theft occurs. Any information please call Det Brady (Hillsboro, OR Police Dept) at 503-615-3444 or pat.brady@hillsboro-oregon.gov

Anyone with information about the larceny is asked to call the Hillsboro Police Department at 503-681-6175.

Image: johnno49 via Pixabay.com