A 57-year-old Milton woman is charged after lanterns, candles, potted plants and other keepsakes went missing from graves at Milton Evergreen Cemetery. Halton police say more families may not yet know something was taken from a loved one's grave.
Police arrested Diana Anderson on Oct. 24, the same day officers searched a home in Milton. She faces one count of theft under $5,000 and four counts of possession of property obtained by crime. None of the allegations has been tested in court.
Police say they seized items that had been reported stolen, along with dozens of other items they believe were taken from gravesites.
According to police, the thefts began in late June, and about 20 families reported missing items, including shepherd hooks. The cemetery called the Halton Regional Police Service in July after families reported the thefts.
Some of the items may not be worth much money, police say, but many mean a great deal to the families who left them. Because the thefts were so personal, the force made the investigation a priority.
Police released photos of the seized items and expect to lay more charges as investigators identify further victims and catalogue the recovered property.
Anyone who believes items were taken from a grave at Milton Evergreen Cemetery is asked to email investigators at [email protected]. Anyone with information can call the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2416.
