A Detroit man stands accused of the morbid crime of ransacking the homes of the recently deceased after allegedly scouring obituaries to pinpoint his targets in the Grosse Pointe area. Jerry Ryan Ashley, 44, faces breaking and entering charges, as confirmed by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. Ashley is currently held on a steep $250,000 bond for each of the cases against him, said officials.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, the authorities detailed a series of incidents allegedly involving Ashley falsifying yard work to gain access to the properties. One such incident occurred on January 18, where Ashley is accused of stealing several items from a home on Rivard Street in Grosse Pointe City before fleeing the scene.
Further allegations pointed out by WWJ Newsradio 950 include break-ins on February 8 and 9 in Grosse Pointe Woods, where jewelry and other valuables were reported missing. The pattern of suspicious yard work continued, prosecutors noted, with Ashley's alleged criminal activities not stopping until his arrest on February 27, after a fourth home was invaded.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy conveyed the calculated nature of these crimes, and was quoted in a CBS Detroit report, saying, "It is alleged that Defendant Ashley sought out homes of the deceased and broke in and took valuable items. He did this at a very sad and vulnerable time for most families." Grosse Pointe City Police Chief John Alcorn commended the joint efforts of local law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in Ashley's apprehension.
Michigan's Attorney General's office has been alerting the public about the lurking danger of these 'obituary pirates,' underscoring the risks of personal details being exploited for criminal activities. As the investigation into Ashley continues, the communities of Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Woods remain on high alert, keenly reminded of the need for vigilance even in times of mourning.
