Most criminals stick to breaking into homes or swiping packages off front porches. But a tight-knit family crew decided to target something far more personal. They hit final resting places instead.
If you haven't checked on a loved one's niche or mausoleum recently, you might want to do it today. Law enforcement agencies across the country are hunting down a trio accused of turning historic and modern cemeteries into their own personal treasure hunts.
The Cross-Country Spree That Shocked Investigators
Police say three individuals from Indianapolis went on a sprawling crime tour across the eastern half of the United States. The suspects are 32-year-old Porsche Bancroft, her 33-year-old boyfriend Drake Lee Milam, and her 52-year-old mother Angela Garrett.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Florida, these suspects didn't just smash things for the thrill. They targeted high-value heirlooms, rings, and mementos left inside crypts and above-ground niches alongside cremated remains.
Cpl. Cole Brazee of the Orange County Sheriff's Office explained that the suspects basically took an extended road trip to steal from the dead. Right now, Florida detectives are actively investigating around 20 separate cases in their jurisdiction alone. But that is just the tip of a very messy iceberg.
Investigators tracking the crew's movements found trails leading far beyond the Sunshine State. The multi-state operation spans at least nine states total, including Oklahoma, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, and New York.
Why Niche and Mausoleum Spaces Are Vulnerable
Traditional burials deep underground are tough to loot. Above-ground structures are a different story entirely. Niches and mausoleums use glass panels, marble slabs, or metal plaques to seal urns and personal items away.
Criminals look for weak seals, quiet groundskeepers, and isolated properties. Families often place precious items inside these spaces—wedding rings, military medals, or expensive trinkets meant to honor the deceased. Thieves know this. They also know that most people visit gravesites only a few times a year.
That creates a massive window of opportunity for opportunistic thieves. You might get robbed in January and have no idea until Thanksgiving.
What Authorities Are Doing Right Now
Warrants are out for Bancroft, Milam, and Garrett. Once captured, they face extradition back to Florida to face local charges, with other states likely lining up to issue their own indictments.
The Central Florida Crimeline stepped up with a financial incentive to catch the crew. They are offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for any tips leading directly to an arrest.
Local police are urging anyone with relatives interred in public or private mausoleums across the affected states to pay a visit to the cemetery. Thousands of victims likely walk around right now completely unaware that their family heirlooms are gone.
How to Protect Your Family Memorials
You can't hire 24-hour private security for a public cemetery plot. You can take smart steps to lower your risk.
- Audit the contents: If you placed expensive jewelry or irreplaceable heirlooms inside a niche, consider removing them and keeping them safely at home in a deposit box.
- Check seals regularly: Walk the grounds of your family crypts at least once a month. Look for cracked mortar, shifted plaques, or scratched panels.
- Report weird damage immediately: Never assume maintenance crews broke a seal for repairs. Call cemetery management and local police right away if something looks altered.
Check your family's resting places this weekend. Don't wait for the police to call you.
