Halton police have reported the arrest of a man and a woman in connection with more than 300 thefts at mausoleums and cemeteries in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The suspects, a 45-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, were apprehended at a Niagara Falls motel. They are facing multiple charges related to thefts at cremation niches containing valuables like jewelry, decorative urns, and keepsakes. The thefts affected eight locations, including mausoleums in Oakville and Burlington. During the investigation, thousands of dollars worth of stolen items, including jewelry, were recovered from the motel and a vehicle.
According to Halton police, the man is facing 28 charges, including indignity to a dead body and theft under $5,000, while the woman is facing 25 charges, including theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime. Investigators anticipate more charges as they examine recovered property and identify additional victims. The suspects are currently in custody awaiting a bail hearing in Milton.
Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie described the crimes as disturbing and disrespectful, emphasizing the impact on affected families. The accused allegedly posed as grieving family members to gain access to mausoleums and deceive property managers before committing the thefts. The stolen items, which included jewelry containing human remains, were sold through pawnshops or private sales.
Wilkie condemned the act of dumping ashes as reprehensible and immoral, quoting a family affected by the thefts. He mentioned that many stolen items have already been sold or melted down. Efforts are underway to catalog and return recovered items to the victims. Police are urging anyone who suspects theft from their mausoleum niche to contact them with details of the deceased, stolen items, and the theft location.
Scott Lockwood, general manager of Arbor Memorial Inc., confirmed multiple niche thefts at their cemeteries and expressed sympathy for affected families. He encouraged families to arrange niche inspections to safeguard their valuables. Mark Richardson, president of the Ontario Association of Cemetery and Funeral Professionals, pledged to collaborate with authorities to maintain the safety and dignity of remembrance sites.