ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Albuquerque Police Department is investigating two separate instances where thieves were stealing from those who have died. So how do loved ones keep the belongings of their dearly departed safe?
“Well, obviously, when you lose somebody that’s close to you, you’re already going through emotional turmoil,” said Commander Albert Sandoval, with the Albuquerque police department.Now add the stress of keeping their personal items secure and out of reach from anyone trying to steal them.“So what we want to know, or we want the citizens to know, are safeguards in place after that happens?” said Commander Sandoval.Albuquerque police say they arrested Sarah Hards, Reid Lathrop, and Mitchell Sanchez for stealing from the dead. According to court documents, this all started back in October, when a woman was found dead in her home. Days later, her car was reported missing.APD found the car and the deceased woman’s important documents, but they also found documents belonging to three other people, who had died“I know that the two individuals involved in the cases that you’re looking at are. They’re property crime offenders that have stayed back for years and years,” said Commander Sandoval.
How to protect loved ones
The question we had: how do suspects know when someone has passed away?…