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Indiana trio arrested for cemetery niche thefts across eastern US, police say
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- Three alleged tomb raiders from Indiana—Drake Lee Milam, Angela Garrett, and Porsche Bancroft—have been arrested for stealing valuable heirlooms from cemetery niches containing cremated remains across the eastern United States.
- Authorities have identified 20 cases in Florida alone, with stolen items including wedding rings, class rings, gold chains, and championship rings, totaling about $35,000 in losses, though officials emphasize the emotional impact over monetary value.
- The suspects reportedly traveled extensively, targeting cemeteries in multiple states including Florida, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey.
- Law enforcement agencies are urging families nationwide to inspect the niches of their deceased loved ones for missing items and to report any information to Central Florida Crimeline.
- Bancroft has an arraignment scheduled for September 22 in Sanford, Florida, with a trial set for February 8; Milam and Garrett will be extradited to Florida to face charges including grand theft and disturbing graves.
