Police seek families after jewelry stolen from funeral niches
A man and woman arrested in May allegedly forced open burial niches across Montréal, Laval, and the North Shore, stealing valuables left with the deceased.
Montreal police are asking families to check their loved ones' burial niches after investigators recovered jewelry and other valuables stolen during break-ins at funeral homes across the region.
Cristina Loubounakis, 50, and André Diderot Gustave, 49, were arrested May 14 as suspects in multiple break-ins at funeral centres in Montreal, Laval, the North Shore, and Saint-Hyacinthe. Police allege the pair forced open burial niches and stole jewelry and personal items placed with the deceased.
Investigators have recovered numerous pieces of jewelry and are working to identify and return them to affected families. The SPVM is asking anyone who believes their loved one's niche was targeted to contact their local police station with details: the deceased's name, a description of missing items, photographs if available, the funeral home name, niche number, and approximate timeframe of the theft.
In Montreal, reports can be made through a local police station. The investigation remains ongoing.