MONKTON — Vermont State Police have responded to a spate of break-ins in recent days, particularly in the town of Monkton, with the most disturbing case involving the theft Monday of a pewter urn containing the ashes of a family’s deceased infant child.
In that incident, thieves kicked open the north door of a home on Pond Road to get in sometime between mid-morning and late afternoon. Among the items reported stolen were the urn and an oak jewelry box, approximately 6 inches tall with two drawers, a flip-open top and three compartments. Inside the box, according to police, were multiple pieces of jewelry, including an 18-inch herringbone necklace with matching earrings and a 14-karat gold ring with a red garnet stone.
The urn is described as being approximately 2.5-inches tall and has the shape of an upside-down teardrop. The urn has horizontal black stripes.
Police suspect the thieves might have used a lime green pillowcase to carry the stolen items out of the home.
Authorities have elected to not disclose the specific address and names of the victims in consideration of the extreme anguish the theft has caused.
Other area break-ins reported by VSP in recent days involved:
•  A home on Monkton Road in Monkton on Oct. 1. Police said someone simply walked into the unlocked home during the daytime hours and stole some cash and jewelry.
•  A home on Monkton Road in Ferrisburgh on Oct. 1. Police said the victim returned home to find her front door open. While it was apparent her possessions had been gone-through, the victim does not believe anything was taken, according to police.
•  A home at an undisclosed location in Salisbury on Oct. 2. Police said the culprit(s) broke in through the front door of the residence and stole several pieces of jewelry and a vase.
Anyone with information on any of these cases is encouraged to call the VSP at 388-4919. Information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or by texting “CRIMES” (274637) to keyword: VTIPS.
Reporter John Flowers is at [email protected].