A Detroit man used obituaries of recently deceased residents to steal from families during funerals, according to the Grosse Pointe Woods Police Department.
Prosecutors have charged Jerry Ryan Ashley, 44, of Detroit, with breaking into the home of the deceased Grosse Pointe City resident and the homes of three other deceased Grosse Pointe Woods residents. did.
“Ashley is alleged to have sought out the deceased’s home, entered it and removed valuables. He did this at a very sad and vulnerable time for most families. We regret to inform you that “Thanks to the excellent police work of the Grosse Pointe Police Department and the Grosse Pointe Woods Police Department, he was arrested and charged,” said Prosecutor Kim Worthy.
Officials said Ashley’s crime was particularly heinous.
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Prosecutors said Jerry Ryan Ashley, 44, targeted homes in the Detroit area after researching obituaries of people who had recently died. (Gross Pointe Woods Police Department)
“I can’t think of anything more vile than sacrificing someone while burying a loved one,” Grosse Pointe Woods Police Chief John Kosanke told Fox News Digital.
Thanks to witness statements and Ring camera footage of Ashley in the act, investigators were fortunate to be able to connect the dots and arrest Ashley in just two weeks, Kosanke said. Stated.
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A Detroit man reportedly used obituaries to target victims and break into homes while their families were attending funerals. (fox 2)
“We made it our mission to bring justice to these families at a time when they are preying on vulnerable victims who have already endured so much grief,” Kosanke said.
According to police, Ashley has a history of breaking and entering, malicious trespassing, malicious destruction of personal property, and intentional breaking and entering, and is currently facing multiple charges of breaking and entering. He is currently being held in prison.
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“We were very keen to take this man into custody. This saved many more victims, but there may be more victims that we are not aware of yet,” Kosanke said. he said.
