NEWS RELEASE GUELPH POLICE SERVICE
A Guelph-Eramosa couple face charges after an investigation which involved the theft of cremated pet remains.
Earlier this year the Guelph Police Service Break Enter Auto Theft Unit began an investigation into a person suspected of committing several property crimes within the community. This included a break-in at a south-end home in which jewelry and electronics worth approximately $10,000 were stolen as well as the remains of the family pet.
It is believed the same male broke into a vehicle earlier this month and stole the victim’s purse containing banking cards and identity documents. The stolen cards to purchase prepaid credit cards at a local grocery store immediately following the theft, before discarding the remaining stolen property.
On March 13, members of the Break Enter Auto Theft Unit, with the assistance of the Guelph Police Service Drug Enforcement Unit, located and arrested the responsible male after recovering some of the discarded stolen property.
Search warrants were executed on the male’s vehicle and his residence where a 33-year-old female was also arrested. While searching the male’s residence and vehicle police located some of the stolen jewelry as well as the cremated pet remains taken from the south-end residence. Police also located several purses, wallets and identity documents that had been stolen from multiple vehicles parked at dog walking trails throughout Guelph and Wellington County.
A 41-year-old Guelph-Eramosa man is charged with break and enter, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000 x 2, mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card x 2, possession of identity documents and disguise with intent. He will appear in bail court Friday.
A 33-year-old Guelph-Eramosa woman is charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of identity documents and breach of probation. She will appear in court May 2.
The cremated pet remains and other recovered property were returned to the rightful owners. This investigation is ongoing and police have not identified all the owners of the recovered property. If you believe any of this property belongs to you, please contact Detective Constable Cam McKeen at cmckeen@guelphpolice.ca.
