Deputies say burglar dumped rare coins into coin counting machine

http://www.kptv.com/story/16456519/deputies-looking-for-corbett-chrismas-burglary-suspect

CORBETT, OR (KPTV) -

Multnomah County Sheriff's Deputies are searching for a man they said stole tools, two safes and valuable coins from a shed at a Corbett home belonging to his own father.

Deputies said Dan Johnson, Jr., along with two other suspects, broke into the outbuildings on Christmas.

The safes had approximately 50 to 60 lbs. of silver and jewelry inside, detectives said.

They also contained a coin collection worth several thousand dollars.

Investigators told FOX 12 that the suspects dumped the collection into a coin counting machine in Gresham and received about $450 in return.

"The obvious answer that the crooks were idiots, just simply an idiot," said Dan Johnson, Sr. "To not know the value of what they had taken, just to get pocket change for it. Just really a stupid person. Makes me feel good he was a stupid person and didn't realize what he had."

With the help of friends and Multnomah County Sheriff's deputies, Dan Johnson, Sr. spent Thursday sifting through the coins deposited in the Coinstar receptacle looking for his collection. The included rare pennies, nickels and dimes dating to the early 1900s.

"It was an inheritance, which made it even worse because I lost an inheritance that was meant to go forward for my children and grandchildren," he said.

The coin counting machine would not accept about 500 silver quarters, so the suspects took those to a bank, according to deputies. The bank is returning the quarters to Johnson, Sr.

Detectives said they've caught the two other suspects in this case and they are cooperating with the investigation.

Anyone who can help deputies track down Johnson is urged to call the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office at 503-251-2515.