Deputies say a trio accused of raiding cemetery niches in at least nine states is now in custody, ending a months-long hunt that rattled grieving families.
Story Snapshot
- Orange County deputies say all three suspects have been arrested.
- Investigators link the group to thefts from cemetery niches and mausoleums across multiple states.
- Victims reported stolen jewelry and heirlooms placed with loved ones at burial sites.
- Charges include disturbing graves and theft; more counts could follow as cases merge.
Deputies Announce Three Arrests Tied to Multi-State Cemetery Thefts
Orange County Sheriff’s Office officials said all three people accused of stealing from cemetery niches and mausoleums have been arrested. Deputies identified the suspects as Drake Milam, 33; Portia (also reported as Porsche) Bancroft, 32; and her mother Angela Garrett, 52. Local outlets reported Garrett was arrested first. Milam and Bancroft were taken into custody soon after, according to the sheriff’s office and broadcast reports. The arrests cap weeks of alerts that labeled the suspects “tomb raiders”.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said the trio targeted cemeteries in Florida and beyond. Investigators linked the group to thefts in at least nine states, with families reporting missing jewelry and keepsakes left with loved ones. Deputies said the suspects broke into sealed compartments in mausoleums and columbarium walls to reach valuables. Officials described the crimes as both theft and a violation of sacred spaces, and warned other states to check recent reports.
What Charges Mean: Property Crime and Desecration
Florida charges in these cases often combine property crimes with counts tied to disturbing a grave. Those statutes aim to reflect both the loss of property and the harm to families and the dead. Other states treat theft from a grave as a serious felony for the same reason. Texas law, for example, elevates such conduct because it offends basic community values, which helps explain why prosecutors stack charges when patterns emerge.
Authorities said the suspects pried open niches and entered mausoleums to steal items that hold deep meaning for families. These items can include wedding rings, lockets, religious medals, and other heirlooms. Deputies said the group’s alleged travel across states turned isolated local crimes into a wider pattern. That framing helps coordinate police efforts and warn cemeteries to upgrade locks, cameras, and patrols to stop copycat crimes.
Why This Case Resonates With Families Nationwide
Families place heirlooms at burial sites to honor a life and preserve stories. When thieves target those items, the loss is not just financial. It feels like a second death. Police in Canada recently faced a similar wave, counting hundreds of niche break-ins in one probe. That case showed how fast these crimes add up when a crew repeats the same method across many sites, leading to large charge totals and intense community anger.
UPDATE: 1/3 GRAVE ROBBERS ARRESTED
There’s been an update in the case involving the theft of family heirlooms from cemetery niches containing cremated remains.
ANGELA GARRETT, 52, one of the three suspects wanted in connection with this case, has been arrested and will face a… pic.twitter.com/O2xOkErQXO
— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) August 18, 2026
Law enforcement’s push to name a suspected ring serves a clear goal. It signals urgency, justifies wider alerts, and speeds tips across state lines. That same approach showed up in United States cases where repeated cemetery break-ins produced hundreds of counts, from burglary to abuse of a corpse. The message is simple: these are not petty thefts. They strike at places families expect to be safe and untouched by crime.
Sources:
reddit.com, wesh.com, clickorlando.com, cbs12.com, youtube.com, fox35orlando.com, www2.texasattorneygeneral.gov, code.dccouncil.gov, cnn.com