Tomb raiders: 3 suspects arrested in multi-state cemetery niche thefts

TEXAS, Georgia — The three suspects accused of breaking into cemetery niches and stealing jewelry and other family heirlooms were arrested Wednesday, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office .

Search efforts and public alert

See also: Florida man accused of carjacking woman, leading deputies on 137 mph chase The sheriff's office said last Thursday that the suspects targeted niches inside mausoleums where families place urns containing their loved ones' cremated remains.

Family members sometimes leave jewelry and other sentimental items inside the niches with the remains.

Investigators said the suspects traveled through several states, including Oklahoma, Minnesota, Texas, Georgia, Iowa and North Carolina.

Their alleged crimes reached as far northeast as Buffalo, New York.

Search and investigation

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said Drake Lee Milam, 33; his girlfriend, Porsche Bancroft, 32; and Bancroft's mother, Angela Garrett, 52, face numerous charges, including injuring or removing a tomb or monument, disturbing the contents of a grave or tomb, and grand theft of more than $20,000.

In Florida, detectives are investigating approximately 20 cases stretching from Orlando and Winter Park to the Tampa area.

Investigators said the trio , who all live in the Indianapolis area, targeted cemeteries in at least nine states as part of what detectives believe was a widespread crime spree.