Man arrested on suspicion of stealing precious stones and gems
By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
COLLEGE PLACE – A former Walla Walla resident suspected of stealing between $25,000 to $50,000 of precious stones and gems is now in custody, according to the College Place Police Department.
Mathew Bodine Weise, 47, is accused of burglarizing a College Place residence. On April 3, a local resident reported their residence had been burglarized while they were out of town, and they were missing a large quantity of precious stones and gems.
During the investigation, CPPD located a set of tire tracks and were able to collect camera footage showing the suspect’s white Toyota pickup leaving the area.
A few days later, the victim found the stolen property in a Facebook Marketplace ad.
On April 15, CPPD had Weise come to Walla Walla for what he believed was a sale of the stolen items. Nearly all the stolen stones and gems were in the back of the suspect’s pickup.
Weise was booked on charges of residential burglary and possession of stolen property. According to court documents, Weise was released on his own recognizance shortly after his arrest.
Last July, Weise was released from prison after serving 14 years for crimes of theft and residential burglary.
Photo via College Place Police Department
