2 people charged after over 300 thefts at GTA mausoleums, cemeteries: Halton police

A adult male and a adult female feature been arrested in link with o'er 300 thefts at mausoleums and cemeteries across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), say Halton police.

The two accused now face "dozens of charges" after a lengthy investigation into a series of thefts at cremation niches that contained remains in Oakville, Burlington, Toronto and the Niagara Region, said investigators in a news release. 

“The suspects targeted jewelry, decorative cremation urns, keepsakes, and other valuables often stored in [cremation] niches,” according to the news release. 

Police say a mausoleum in Oakville and two others in Burlington were among the affected properties in Halton region.

Officers arrested a 45-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, both of no fixed address, at a Niagara Falls motel on Nov. 7.

A search of the motel and a vehicle led to the recovery of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and stolen items, said police. But investigators say many valuables may already have been sold and that some families may still be unaware if their mausoleum niche was robbed.

Police say the man is facing 28 charges, including three counts of indignity to a dead body and 19 counts of theft under $5,000. The woman is facing 25 charges, including 19 counts of theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime. 

Police say they’re anticipating additional charges as investigators examine the recovered property and identify other victims. The man and woman remain in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton. 

Investigators say the pair allegedly entered mausoleums and used tools to steal valuables, primarily during the day. Stolen items were then sold at pawnshops or in private sales, according to the news release.

The missing valuables included necklaces and "other jewelry that contained human remains, which were discarded by the thieves after the thefts," police said the news release.

“These crimes are deeply disturbing and strike at the heart of our community’s sense of dignity and compassion,” said Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie in a statement. 

“To violate spaces meant for remembrance and peace is both callous and reprehensible. Our thoughts are with the families who have been impacted by these thefts.”

Investigators say many stolen items have already been melted down or sold. Any recovered items will be catalogued and returned to the affected families, they said. 

But there may be additional victims who have not yet realized a theft has occurred at their mausoleum niche, said police. 

Anyone who believes items have been stolen from their niche in recent months is urged to contact investigators with the following information:

People with any other information regarding the investigation can contact the Halton police or reach out anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

Scott Lockwood, general manager of Arbor Memorial Inc. — the company that owns two of the affected Halton cemeteries — said in an emailed statement that he could not provide any details or comments on the case.

However, Lockwood did confirm that multiple niche thefts occurred at the locations and that the company was in close contact with Halton police.

"We want the affected families to know that we share in their sorrow. We understand these are not simply items, but cherished memories," said Lockwood.

"We encourage families with niches at any of our locations to contact their local funeral home to arrange a guided niche inspection, where they can remove any valuable items at their discretion."

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