Cremated pet remains returned to owner after Guelph theft

A Guelph-Eramosa couple are facing theft charges after taking the remains of a family pet and other items earlier this year.

Guelph police have been investigating after a home in the city’s south end was broken into. Someone took jewellery, electronics worth around $10,000 and the cremated remains of the family’s pet. At the time, police believed the same male broke into vehicles in the area and stole the victim’s purse containing cards and identity documents. The credit cards were used at a local grocery store immediately after and then discarded along with other stolen property.

On March 13, officers found and arrested the man responsible for that theft after finding some of the stolen items. A search warrant was then used on the man’s vehicle and his home where a 33-year-old female was also arrested.

During the search, police found some of the jewellery and the cremated pet remains. They also found several purses, wallets and more stolen documents from multiple vehicles they say were parked near Guelph and Wellington County dog walking trails.

As a result the 41-year-old man is facing charges of:

• Break and enter
• Possession of stolen property over $5,000
• Possession of stolen property under $5,000 x 2
• Mischief under $5,000
• Theft under $5,000
• Unauthorized use of a credit card x 2
• Possession of identity documents
• Disguise with intent

The 33-year-old woman is charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of identity documents and breach of probation.

The pet’s remains and other property were returned to the rightful owners. The investigation is ongoing as police have not identified the owners of all the stolen items.