Suspect in Vancouver burglary, theft appears in court

A Vancouver man suspected of burglarizing a home in Vancouver’s Central Park neighborhood and stealing a safe full of handguns, jewelry and cash made a first appearance Wednesday in Clark County Superior Court.

Vincent A. Eshleman, 22, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree burglary, first-degree theft, trafficking in stolen property, theft of a firearm and being an ex-convict in possession of a firearm. All charges relate to the March 6 incident.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Eshleman allegedly burglarized the residence at 1201 Z St. and then sold some of the stolen items. He allegedly stole a safe containing five handguns, approximately $12,000 worth of jewelry and $7,500 in cash.

The victim, Danny Aragon, provided police with detailed descriptions of the missing jewelry, including a photo of one of the necklaces, court records said.

On March 7, Eshleman allegedly sold a gold ring to a Vancouver pawn shop. He also sold numerous pieces of jewelry to a metal buyer in Portland later that month, the affidavit says.

A witness, McKenna Rubin, told police she saw Eshleman with two backpacks full of jewelry and drove him to the businesses to sell it. She said Eshleman later admitted to committing the burglary and stealing the items from someone he knows, according to court documents.

During his hearing on Wednesday, Judge David Gregerson appointed Clark Fridley to represent Eshleman.

His bail was set at $50,000. He is scheduled to be arraigned July 22.