MONROE — Police have charged a Monroe woman with a macabre series of alleged thefts, mostly from grave sites in area cemeteries, and the investigation is ongoing.
“It’s not something we hear about every single day,” said Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelly. “We are not sure we know the full depth of it.”
Following execution of a search warrant on her residence and a subsequent police investigation, the accused, Carrie Thompson, 46, has been charged with several counts of receiving stolen property, obstructing justice and resisting arrest. So far, she has only been charged with misdemeanors but those charges could eventually grow into felony status, depending on the prosecutor’s view of the developing case, he said.
The suspect allegedly took lights, commemorative medallions, and other decorative items from graves in the area and then posted them for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
Reports of the thefts began to trickle in as people noticed that items were missing from their loved one’s graves and then appearing for sale on Facebook. The personal nature of the alleged crime — involving memorials to loved ones — has plenty of people talking.
“I’m glad she got caught, I hope she gets what she deserves,” said one commentor on social media.
Said another: “If she steals from cemeteries, she steals from everyone.”
Kelly said police noticed items outside Thompson’s home that may have matched some of the reported thefts, and that police executed the search warrant on June 30 and found more inside the home at 2635 8th Ave, Apt. 24. She was arrested the same day.
The chief said the investigation is ongoing and may expand to other communities. Social media alluded to the possibility that items were taken from a Brodhead cemetery, although Kelly declined to comment on specifics. If anyone has information about such crimes, Kelly urged them to contact Monroe detectives or reach out via CrimeStoppers.
Meanwhile, police are anxious to reunite area residents with their property.
“We have all this property that has yet to be identified,” said Kelly, adding that anyone missing items can contact police.
Thompson posted bond and was released from custody, Kelly said.