Helena coin shop heist: Las Vegas man sentenced to 27 months in prison

A Las Vegas man has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state coin and jewelry theft ring that targeted coin shops across the American West, including a high-value heist at a Helena business in March 2024.

The Wayne Miller Coins Heist and Multi-State Ring

On May 28, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris sentenced 47-year-old Bishop Lott in Great Falls, Montana. The sentencing follows Lott's guilty plea in January to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. In March 2024, Lott and his accomplice, Ricky Rynell Rose, broke into Wayne Miller Coins, located on Last Chance Gulch in Helena, stealing $58,629 worth of rare coins and precious metals. Police investigation revealed that Lott traveled directly from Las Vegas to Helena to commit the burglary before returning to Nevada.

Following the Helena heist, investigators from law enforcement agencies in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Arizona connected the suspects and at least three other individuals to a series of similar burglaries at other coin and jewelry stores across the region.

Arrest, Prior Record, and Sentencings

Both Lott and Rose were arrested by the FBI on May 24, 2024. Court records indicate that Lott has an extensive criminal record dating back to his teenage years, with numerous arrests and prior prison sentences for burglary and theft across several states. While Lott initially entered a plea agreement last year, he violated his release conditions twice, leading to a new agreement in January. Rose pleaded guilty last year and is currently serving a 39-month prison sentence.

In addition to his 27-month prison term, Lott's sentence includes three years of supervised release and a mandatory residential drug treatment program at a facility in Louisiana. Judge Morris also ordered Lott to pay a total of $276,153.08 in restitution to be distributed among the six victimized businesses across the Western United States.

Security Tips for Specialty Coin and Jewelry Retailers

Coin shops and jewelry stores are premium targets for organized burglary rings due to the high concentration of portable, high-value inventory. Business owners should consider implementing the following security measures:

• High-Security Safes and Vaults: Store all high-value coins, bullion, and precious metals in UL-rated burglar-resistant safes (such as TL-15 or TL-30 ratings) during non-business hours. Never leave premium inventory in glass display cases overnight.
• Vibration and Seismic Sensors: Install specialized seismic or vibration sensors on vaults, safes, and exterior walls. These sensors detect the physical vibrations caused by drilling, grinding, or hammering tools commonly used by professional heist rings.
• Line-Security Monitoring: Utilize dual-path alarm monitoring systems (cellular and IP) with line security. This ensures that if telephone or internet lines are cut by burglars, the alarm system still successfully transmits an emergency signal to the monitoring station.
• Laminated Security Glass: Replace standard display and window glass with heavy-duty laminated security glass or polycarbonate panels to prevent quick "smash-and-grab" entry attempts.

Sources

This article was synthesized based on federal court documents and reports from local Montana media outlets:

• The MSU Exponent
• Helena Independent Record (Helena IR)
• U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana