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Thieves Steal GPS, Camera, Ashes Of Grieving Arcadia Woman's Late Husband


ARCADIA (CBS) — Lynn Merchant has already gone through the devastating loss of her husband Robert.

But some thieves Wednesday added insult to the injury when they made off with her husband's ashes.

The couple loved going to Las Vegas. "We went every 2-3 months," she told CBS2. The promise of a big birthday bash there was used as a draw to help prolong his life. But, sadly, Robert died from liver cancer before the party could be held.

Lynn decided to make it a memorial service instead, and asked a friend if he would drive most of Robert's ashes there so he could attend his own party. She had them adorned in a red velvet bag.

Sometime during the night, the friend's rental car, parked in the Merchant driveway, was burglarized. Thieves took the GPS, a camera, and most importantly, the velvet bag.

Merchant fears that once the thieves realize the box doesn't contain jewelry they will toss it in a dumpster.

Edward Lawrence, reporting for KCAL9, spoke to Mrs. Merchant. She says she wants her husband's ashes back, no questions asked.

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