In October 2025, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 3 District (Welland/Pelham) uniform officers responded to reports of several thefts from niches at Pleasantview Cemetery Mausoleum in Fonthill.
3 District Street Crime Unit (SCU) subsequently took carriage of the investigation. The investigation revealed that similar thefts had occurred throughout Oakville, Burlington, and Toronto, and a joint investigation was commenced with Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS).
The investigation revealed that two suspects broke into the niches and conducted a search for valuables, targeting jewellery, decorative cremation urns, keepsakes and other personal items. The suspects then sold the items at pawn shops, or through private sales. In some cases, the suspects discarded items which contained human remains.
On Friday, November 7, 2025, in cooperation with the Halton Regional Police Service, two suspects were arrested at a hotel in the City of Niagara Falls.
45-year-old John RUCH of No Fixed Abode has been charged with the following criminal offences in the Niagara Region:
Break and Enter – Commit in a Place Other than a Dwelling (8 Charges) Indignity to a Body (8 Charges)
In addition to these charges, RUCH is also facing 28 Criminal Charges laid by the Halton Regional Police Service. RUCH remains in Halton Regional Police Service’s custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Niagara to answer to his charges.
31-year-old Jordan NOBLE of No Fixed Abode has been charged with the following criminal offences in the Niagara Region:
Break and Enter – Commit in a Place Other than a Dwelling (8 Charges) Indignity to a Body (8 Charges)
In addition to these charges, NOBLE is also facing 25 Criminal Charges laid by the Halton Regional Police Service. Noble remains in Halton Regional Police Service’s custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Niagara to answer to her charges.
A Criminal Code search warrant was executed on the hotel room and an associated vehicle, which resulted in the recovery of hundreds of stolen items. Investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet discovered a theft has occurred at their loved one’s niche.
Any Niagara residents who believe they may have had items stolen from a mausoleum niche in recent months is encouraged to contact investigators at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1009567. Please include the name of the deceased person(s), details and descriptions of the stolen items (including photos if available), as well as the location and approximate timeframe of the theft. Unfortunately, investigators believe that many stolen items may have already been sold or melted down for resale.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Niagara Regional Police Service at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1009567.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
Incident #25-123281