Man Accused of Stealing Cop's Ashes During Burglary Is Arrested

Police in Florida have arrested a man they say stole the ashes of a deceased police officer during a burglary.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced at a press event Wednesday that investigators named 27-year-old Daniel Cardona as the Lakeland residential burglary suspect they believe stole the urn containing ashes of retired Lakeland police Officer Buddy Newsome.

Cardona is part of a theft ring that rents cars and drives around the state targeting high-end houses, authorities allege.

Cops say Cardona confessed to committing the Lakeland burglary and stealing the urn, which was turned over to detectives.

"It was a loss all over again. I lost him to cancer and now I lost him to an intruder," widow Michele Newsome told WFTS.

According to his arrest affidavit, four residences in unincorporated Lakeland were burglarized on March 28.

One residence in the community had jewelry and the urn stolen.

"Thanks to the social media and media coverage and good old-fashioned police work, this suspect was identified and captured in Miami," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "He came to Florida from Honduras in February, and has been breaking into houses ever since. Cardona's crime spree is over."

In addition to these crimes, cops say Cardona has been implicated in 14 other thefts in nine Florida counties.

He was due for a first court appearance Thursday.

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