A Detroit man used obituaries of recently deceased residents to steal from their families while they were at funerals, according to the Gross Pointe Woods Police Department. Prosecutors have charged Jerry Ryan Ashley, 44, of Detroit, in connection with the breaking and entering of the home of a deceased Grosse Pointe City resident, and the homes of three other deceased Grosse Pointe Woods residents.
When you're preying on vulnerable victims who have already endured so much grief, we made it our mission to bring justice to these families,' Kosanke said. Ashley, who police reported has a record of home invasion, trespassing, malicious destruction of personal property, and breaking and entering with intent, is now facing several counts of breaking and entering. He is currently being held in jail.
We were very eager to get this guy in custody. It saved a lot more victims, but there could also be more out there that we don't even know about yet,' said Kosanke.