Trio Accused of Looting Graves Across 9 States

Florida deputies say a mother, her daughter, and the daughter’s boyfriend looted mausoleum niches in at least nine states, turning grief into a hunting ground for valuables.

Story Highlights

Deputies named three suspects linked to cemetery thefts across at least nine states.
Investigators tied the trio to 20 Florida cases involving mausoleum niches and heirlooms.
A reward was offered as authorities seek tips to locate the suspects.
Officials say the group traveled widely and targeted cremation niches and mausoleums.

Deputies Identify Suspects and Issue Warrants

Orange County, Florida, deputies publicly named Porsche Bancroft, Drake Lee Milam, and Angela Garrett as suspects in a multistate cemetery theft spree. Investigators said arrest warrants have been issued, and they asked the public to report tips to help locate the trio. Deputies described the suspects as a mother, her adult daughter, and the daughter’s boyfriend. Officers said the group focused on mausoleum niches, where families often place small valuables with cremated remains during memorials.

Authorities said the suspects “went on a tour of the eastern half of the United States,” hitting cemeteries in at least nine states during the spree. A broadcast segment amplified the warning and said the group is believed to have ties to the Indianapolis area, but could be anywhere along the East Coast. Detectives urged families and cemetery operators to report break-ins fast and to review surveillance footage and access logs if they have them.

Scope of the Spree and How Thefts Worked

Florida investigators said they are probing at least 20 cases statewide that they believe tie back to the same trio. Deputies said the suspects targeted niches and mausoleums because families sometimes leave jewelry, watches, and small keepsakes with loved ones. Officials said the group hit sites quickly, pried open closures, and moved on before staff or visitors arrived. Deputies asked families who discover missing items to file reports, provide photos of what was left, and list any unique markings.

Law enforcement warnings followed a steady rise in cemetery-related thefts nationwide, from stolen bronze vases to damaged plaques. In one separate case, police recovered hundreds of bronze cemetery vases and reported losses over one hundred thousand dollars, highlighting the profit motive behind these crimes. Florida deputies stressed that each niche break-in is not only theft, but also a violation of a place set aside for mourning. They said that mix of loss and disrespect makes victims feel doubly harmed.

Public Alerts, Reward, and Where Tips Fit In

A regional news post shared by local outlets reported that a reward of up to five thousand dollars is available for information that leads to arrests, a common tool used to shake loose tips when suspects cross state lines. Deputies also posted suspect images and names on social media to widen the search. Officials asked tipsters to report times, vehicle details, and any purchases or sales of unusual cemetery-related metals or heirlooms that seem out of place.

Because these alleged crimes stretch across many states, investigators must match reports across county and state lines. That takes time and careful case work. Deputies said cooperation from families, cemetery managers, scrap dealers, and pawn shops can speed matches and help recover items. They urged businesses to log seller identification and serial numbers where possible, so police can trace goods back to owners after the fact.

Why This Hits a Nerve for Families and Communities

Mausoleums and cremation niches are places where families try to find closure. When thieves pry them open, people feel like the system cannot protect even the dead. That anger and grief spans politics. Many Americans already think leaders and institutions are not doing the basics well. Seeing criminals roam across states to steal from the most private spaces deepens the sense that rules are not being enforced and that honest people are the ones left to carry the loss.

Police responses show what still works when agencies move fast and share data. Public naming of suspects, reward offers, and clear guidance to families are practical steps. But prevention also matters. Cemetery operators can review locks, cameras, and after-hours patrols. Families can photograph and log items placed with loved ones, or consider leaving symbolic items instead of valuables. These choices cannot stop every crime, but they can cut easy targets and help police build solid cases when thefts happen.

Legal Consequences and Next Steps

States treat cemetery crimes as more than simple theft. For example, Indiana law defines cemetery mischief and bars damage or disturbance to grave sites and artifacts, reflecting the special status of burial places. Prosecutors can also add burglary, theft, and related charges fit to each break-in. Deputies said the suspects remain at large, and they continue to gather reports from families and cemeteries. Officials asked anyone with knowledge of the trio’s movements to contact local law enforcement right away.