Woman's purse stolen from car while visiting friend's grave at Colma cemetery
COLMA, Calif. (KGO) -- A Colma cemetery turned into a crime scene after a mourner was targeted by a thief during a recent visit.
Melanie Blandino-Quinn from Daly City went to Cypress Lawn Cemetery on Thursday to pay her respects to a friend who died two years ago.
"She was a beautiful person. She was very loved," Blandino-Quinn said. "It's still very emotional."
To add to the emotion, after spending time at the gravesite, Blandino-Quinn returned to her vehicle and discovered her purse had been stolen.
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"I feel so violated. I mean it's so personal. Everything in your purse, it's you," she said.
The Colma Police Department said it has a suspect description -- though the department isn't giving many details so it doesn't hinder the investigation -- and is working on leads.
It's not the type of crime they see everyday -- a theft at the cemetery while somebody is grieving for their loved one.
"It was from an unlocked vehicle, so the person in this incident left her vehicle unlocked and the suspect opened the vehicle, obtained the purse and then fled the scene," Sgt. Jason Wollman of the Colma Police Department said.
Wollman is reminding visitors to take precautions. Blandino-Quinn said she regrets not locking her vehicle and hopes others visiting cemeteries remain alert.
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"Just lock your doors, maybe, and be more aware," she said. "Just to be very wary at the cemetery, because I see people go there all the time and spend a lot of time there."
Robert Gordon, the president and CEO of Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association, said the cemetery is disappointed someone would take advantage of mourners visiting loved ones and said these types of things rarely happen.
He said they are working with police to find whoever is responsible. The investigation remains ongoing
