Thief Stealing Stretchers From Funeral Hearses in Georgia Town

Police and funeral directors in Gainesville, Ga., have a mystery on their hands: Someone is breaking into hearses and stealing the stretchers used to carry deceased people.

Gainesville police Cpl. Kevin Holbrook said thieves have broken into vehicles at two funeral homes recently, and investigators are using surveillance video to try and find suspects.

Jimmy Brewer, who owns Ward’s Funeral Home, tells WSB-TV that his surveillance cameras captured someone pulling up in a silver minivan. The suspect shines a light into vehicles and bashes in the window of a hearse.

Billy Hendrix, who operates Memorial Parks Funeral Homes and Cemeteries, says the funeral directors aren’t certain what the motive might be.

New stretchers can range from $1,800 to well over $4,000.