Gold, silver & diamonds stolen from UNM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - It was not fools gold but the person who pulled a smash and grab at UNM may be a fool.
    
He thought he was getting away with gold, silver and diamonds that he could sell, but he was in for a big surprise.
 
The geology museum at UNM is full of rocks and minerals but it was three small items that caught a thief's attention.

“A small amount of silver, a gold nugget about a half an ounce and two uncut diamonds,” Lt. Trace Peck said.
    
The incident took place over the Christmas break and the museum was locked up.

Cops think the thief used a rock to smash through the front door and then went after a glass case.
    
The glass is still broken and only the plaques and empty boxes are left.

Officials say whoever stole the gold may be in for a big surprise because they were all in their raw form which means they are not worth a lot of money. They say if the suspect did try to sell them, there is a good chance the buyer would turn the person in.
    
Much like what happened last winter break when a man stole a meteorite from the museum just next door to the geology exhibits.

“We were notified immediately by that person who bought it back east,” Lt. Peck said.
    
UNM was able to get the meteorite back.

Even though the stolen goods are only worth about $1,000, UNM police are working hard to get them back too.

“Here was some physical evidence left behind and that's being examined right now for possible leads,” Lt. Peck said.
    
That includes trying to pull DNA evidence off a glove and a cigarette butt the thief left behind.
 
The museum is open to the public and police are investigating whether one of the transients who roam the campus might have seen the loot and decided to come back for it.
    
The suspected meteorite thief was caught and is now believed to be out of jail.
     
Police are also looking at him.