Missouri police said three teenage burglary suspects tossed cremated remains out a car window after a taste test determined that the powdery substance was not cocaine.
Devin M. Gesell, 17, was charged with burglary and two counts of theft by police. His alleged accomplices, ages 15 and 16, were referred to juvenile authorities for charges, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported March 6.
Although the St. Charles county burglary happened in November, police were finally able to track down their suspects because one of the stolen items — an Xbox 360 — was connected to the Internet.
“I was sick, sick to my stomach,” victim Deborah Matthews told a local NBC affiliate March 6. “All my jewelry was gone, all my sons electronics, I had my father’s ashes — they were sitting on the dresser.”
Police said that all three suspects were acquaintances of the family that was robbed, the newspaper reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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