A Texas woman has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of valuables from a cemetery mausoleum, with surveillance footage showing her accompanied by her toddler. Renee Amber Fennell, 37, of Conroe, is accused of burglarizing the Memorial Oaks Funeral Home on June 6.
Authorities received a report from the funeral home manager on June 15 regarding a theft that had occurred days earlier. The manager discovered that two glass-fronted display cases within the enclosed mausoleum, where cremated remains and personal mementos are kept, had been broken into. A security guard had reportedly forgotten to lock the mausoleum doors on the night of the incident, allowing access.
Family members of those interred identified several stolen items. One individual reported the theft of three gold Mahjong pieces from a larger set, valued at approximately $3,700. Another relative stated that a $150 silver James Avery cross and an aquamarine rosary valued at $20 were missing.
Surveillance footage allegedly captured Fennell arriving at the funeral home in a silver SUV and entering the mausoleum with her young daughter, who is believed to be between three and five years old. The video appears to show Fennell using tools to pry open the display cases and take the items.
Following the release of the surveillance footage to social media on June 17, investigators received a tip that led them to identify Fennell as a suspect. Further investigation, including checks of law enforcement records and database searches, linked her to a silver Lincoln MKC that matched the vehicle seen in the footage. License plate reader data also placed her SUV in the Houston area on the day of the break-in.
Fennell was arrested Wednesday night at her home. Video from her arrest shows her being escorted into an intake unit while wearing a bathrobe.
According to the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office, Fennell faces two felony charges: burglary and theft from a graveyard. Her daughter was turned over to a family member. Authorities noted that Fennell has a prior criminal record in Harris County, including arrests for forgery, theft, possession of a controlled substance, driving while intoxicated, and assault. She has since been transferred to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for questioning regarding crimes in that jurisdiction.