MOSCOW, February 23 (RIA Novosti) – Police in Taiwan have arrested a suspected robber who stole gold jewelry worth more than $500,000 by cutting holes in coffins, the Central News Agency reported.
The suspected robber, identified only by his surname Cheng, was arrested in western Yunlin county on Friday after his car was caught on a surveillance camera at a cemetery raided last month, the report said.
Police said Cheng stole jewelry from about 500 graves starting from 2009. He dug up graves at night and cut holes in coffins above the wrists of the deceased to remove gold rings and bracelets.
According to China’s custom, jewelry or any valuable items are buried with the deceased.