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Nov 17, 2009 11:37 pm US/Pacific
Lodi Man's Jewelry Containing Ashes Returned
A burglary bust turned into a big break for one man. He got back his most prized possession -- one he never thought he'd ever see again.
Burglary victims rarely get their belongings back, but Lodi Police are trying to change that one item at a time.
"They threw all these drawers out," said Dean Tyrell, robbery victim.
Memories of Tyrrell's life with his wife of 25 years fill this house.
"They came in here and went out this way," said Tyrrell.
Part of Betty Joan went with the burglars last week. She died nine years ago. Burglars stole her jewelry and a necklace containing Betty's ashes.
"You just feel very, very violated," said Tyrrell.
Tyrrell believes the thieves came through the side garage door.
"When I came in, I didn't have it locked like now," said Tyrrell. "I didn't even think anything about it at the time."
The suspects ran though the house taking whatever they could get, thinking he'd never see it again. Tyrrell showed up to the Lodi Police station hoping to recognize recovered stolen property.
"Oh there's mine," said Tyrrell.
And one by one, "that's mine…oh yeah that's it," he found his wife's jewelry.
"A lot of these things mean nothing to someone else, but they have a meaning for me," said Tyrrell. "She was the biggest part of my life. We had a wonderful marriage."
And just before Tyrrell was about to leave, he found the necklace with his wife's ashes.
"No you take that with you, no this is your wife you take her home," said the officer.
Nine out of 10 burglary victims never get their stuff back, but on Wednesday at least five people identified their family belongings. As for the three people police say are responsible for Tyrrell's burglary, investigators believe they could have committed dozens of break-ins during the past four months.
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