MONROE -- Charges against a Monroe woman who allegedly stole scores of items from gravesites in Green, Lafayette and Rock Counties are detailed in the Tuesday filing of a 40-count criminal complaint in Green County.
Carrie Thompson, 46, was initially charged last August with several counts of receiving stolen property, obstructing justice and resisting arrest. But police said they were continuing to investigate thefts here and elsewhere and there were likely to be more charges.
Many of those were detailed in the new criminal complaint filed on Tuesday, Jan. 3.
“From the perspective of our agency, we’re of course happy to bring some closure and relief to the families here...” said Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley.
According Kelley and Monroe Detective Sgt. Dan Skatrud, Thompson took lawn decoration items, solar lights; and memorial and decorative items from grave sites in Monroe, Brodhead, Green County and even in some Lafayette County locations. She would then allegedly sell them on social media or elsewhere. In Monroe, authorities said Greenwood and Calvary Cemeteries were especially hard hit.
Kelley, who last summer implored area residents to check their loved ones’ grave markers for any sign of theft, said people should continue to do so. He also urged them to contact Skatrud about any of the recovered items. Some of those can even be identified by photos.
The long list of items seemed almost random, and included everything from a “Brewer flag and holder” to ‘Blue Flower Solar Light,” according to the complaint.
Kelley said the case was especially unfortunate, given that many of the items taken were of symbolic value related to beloved family members. Detectives, he added, may still have pending cases, according to police, including those in Rock and Lafayette Counties.
“They have not closed them (cases), and may be waiting to see what happens with the prosecutions here, where there are more cases,” said Kelley.
The community was outraged by the thefts, with many venting their rage in social media posts questioning what type of person would steal knickknacks from the dead.
Despite the lengthy investigation, police apparently were unable to charge Thompson with a felony, as each piece of stolen property initially had value of less than $2,500.
“The offense that gets charged is a simple theft, some have a penalty enhancer due to a victim’s age, but the toll of the cultural viewpoint on this may not be reflected in the available charge,” he said.