Portland Museum Suffers Break-In and Theft

Donation box stolen and historic window damaged, causing thousands in losses for the nonprofit museum.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Portland Museum in Oregon is dealing with the aftermath of a break-in that resulted in thousands of dollars in property damage and the theft of money from the museum's donation box. Surveillance footage captured a person fleeing the scene after the security system was triggered, but the perpetrator has not yet been identified.

Why it matters

As a nonprofit organization, the Portland Museum operates on a tight budget, and unexpected expenses like this property damage and theft can have a significant impact on the museum's ability to fund its operations and future projects, including a planned new children's museum exhibit.

The details

According to museum staff, the perpetrator broke through a storm window to gain entry, then tried unsuccessfully to break through the front door before finding another way inside. Once inside, they punched out the front of the donation box and stole an estimated $100 in cash. The biggest expense will be temporarily replacing and repairing an antique window, which could cost up to $3,000.

  • The break-in occurred on the night of February 12, 2026.

The players

Portland Museum

A nonprofit museum in Portland, Oregon that is dealing with the aftermath of a break-in and theft.

Maria McGary

A staff member at the Portland Museum who spoke about the incident and the museum's plans for the future.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“They left a trail of money as they exited. I think the alarm really scared him.”

— Maria McGary, Portland Museum staff member (wlky.com)

“It just hurts the whole community when somebody comes in and steals from a community asset.”

— Maria McGary, Portland Museum staff member (wlky.com)

What’s next

The Portland Museum is asking the community to support it by attending its upcoming exhibit, and anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call the local police department.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the challenges that nonprofit organizations like the Portland Museum face in maintaining their facilities and operations when faced with unexpected costs due to criminal activity. The museum's staff is now focused on finding ways to recover from the financial loss in order to continue serving the local community.