Suspect that stole urn at Oceanview had been casing the place hours before he stole the urn

Don McCombs, administrator from Oceanview Cemetery, said the suspect left the niche open and urn is very distinctive and that was when staff discovered the urn had been stolen. The urn was discovered missing the next day after it was stolen. McCombs said that the suspect was talking to other people and entered the cemetery and when they saw the camera surveilance, that triggered memory that he had been there the day before.

Since he was not doing anything suspicious, there was nothing to alert staff to what happened later that day.

Below is the press release that other media has already published.

Eureka Police Department

Date:  February 9, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Subject:  EPD Seeks Public’s Assistance in Locating Urn Stolen from Cemetery

On 2-4-2014, between 3:00 – 3:30 PM, a male subject entered the chapel at the Ocean View Cemetery and removed an urn holding cremated remains.

The subject is described as a white male in his thirties wearing dark shoes with white soles, blue jeans, a gray hooded sweatshirt with writing on the front and a black baseball cap, when he enters. The subject changed his clothing to a grey short sleeved t-shirt with a checkered pattern on the front and donned a dark beanie cap with a white stripe. The suspect carried the urn away under a tan coat he carried with him.

Attached is a picture of an urn similar in shape and design to the one stolen.

The Eureka Police Department is asking for any information that could lead to the return of the remains to the family. If you have information regarding this theft, please contact Officer Harkness 707-441-4060