'Funeral Bandit' Suspect Caught In Colorado
PONTIAC (WWJ) - Police and sheriff deputies have captured a man they've dubbed the "Funeral Bandit," suspected of robbing at least 16 grieving families who were attending funerals. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Todd Griffin of Pontiac, was caught in Colorado.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard says investigators believe Griffin found his victims through obituaries.
"He stole while they were at a funeral most of the time," said Bouchard. "So this is just a scumbag … plain and simple."
One of those affected was Jim Ratliff of Clarkston. His parents had recently died and their home was to be part of an estate sale...before that could happen the place was robbed. Ratliff says police could not recover some of his mother's jewelry...
"Well, my mother had some jewelry that was a little more valuable," said Ratliff. "Still it wasn't incredibly valuable just was very sentimental - my sister's probably would like to have that for the memory ... but it doesn't look like we're going to get that."
Homes in Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Genesee, and Shiawassee counties were targeted.
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