‘Callous and reprehensible’: 2 suspects arrested in more than 300 thefts from GTA cemeteries

Halton Regional Police provide an update on the two suspects arrested and linked to hundreds of thefts at cemeteries across the GTA.

Thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry and other stolen property has been recovered following the arrest of two suspects wanted in connection with a rash of thefts at mausoleums and cemeteries across the Greater Toronto Area, police say.

During a news conference on Monday, Halton Regional Police said dozens have charges have been laid against two suspects following more than 300 thefts from cremation niches and mausoleums in Oakville, Burlington, Toronto, and Niagara Region.

According to police, the suspects targeted jewelry, decorative cremation urns, keepsakes, and other valuables.

In Halton Region, the mausoleums that were targeted include Glen Oaks Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery in Oakville, Bayview Cemetery and Crematorium in Burlington, and Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Burlington.

Ashes dumped

“The thefts took place during daytime hours. The accused would attend a cemetery and enter the mausoleums. Once inside, they would use a tool to enter niche compartments and steal jewelry or other valuables,” police said in a news release.

“The accused often stole necklaces and other jewelry that contained human remains, which were discarded by the thieves after the thefts. The stolen jewelry was then sold at pawnshops or through private sales.”

Halton Regional Police Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie called the thefts “deeply disturbing.”

“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,” Wilkie said.

He added that families impacted by the thefts have experienced “deep emotional pain and heartbreak” at a time when they were already grieving for their loved ones, noting that the thefts caused a “painful resurgence of their loss.”

Suspects posed as grieving family members: police

During Monday’s news conference, Wilkie said the accused went to “significant lengths” to deceive property managers at the sites.

“Our investigation revealed that in some cases, they posed as grieving family members in order to tour the premises before committing these crimes,” he said.

“Some of the stolen property was sold, melted down, or discarded. We also discovered the accused had dumped the ashes of loved ones.”

The suspects, police said, were arrested on November 7 at a motel in Niagara Falls.

John Ruch, a 45-year-old man, of no fixed address, and Jordan Noble, a 31-year-old woman also of no fixed address, face dozens of charges, including indignity to a dead body, theft under $5,000, and possession of property obtained by crime.

Police said additional charges are “anticipated” as investigators continue to identify victims and catalogue the stolen property that has been recovered.

Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of theft from a mausoleum niche in recent months is urged to contact investigators by email at [e-mail].