Two Arrested After Stealing Items Left at Cemetery Gravesites

Redlands police arrested two women caught stealing from a grave at Hillside Memorial Park Monday night and recovered additional items taken for the past several months from graves at the cemetery. The suspects’ vehicle was stopped in the 1200 block of Olive Avenue, several blocks from the cemetery, located at 1540 Alessandro Road, at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 3. Inside the vehicle police located a pink child’s purse, wind chimes and decorative metal art taken from the grave site minutes earlier. The suspects admitted taking items that had been left at grave sites in the cemetery for the past several months, including flower arrangements, decorative solar lights and metal art. Police searched residences in Redlands and Rancho Cucamonga and recovered additional items. Arrested were 26-year-old Esha Sumaya Khondoker of Redlands, and 22-year-old Kulreet Nakai of Rancho Cucamonga. Lt. Travis Martinez called the investigation important for the peace of mind of those with loved ones interred at the cemetery. “The thefts may not seem like much in terms of dollar value,” said Martinez. “But the losses were very personal for the victims.” Anyone who may also have been a victim or anyone with additional information is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681.