A Courtenay man is asking for compassion from a thief who stole his father’s ashes out of his truck overnight on Wednesday.
Collin Croghan’s father Barry passed away in November 2016. Only six months ago, the ashes were sent to Croghan by another family member.
Croghan says that he carried his father’s remains with him in his truck as a reminder of the time they spent together on the road.
“We used to drive around. It was just us, that was our time,” said Croghan in a phone interview with Victoria Buzz.
He says he discovered the theft early Thursday morning when he was heading out to class in nearby Ladysmith.
“As soon as I opened my truck door, it was obvious that it had been ransacked. The glove box had been just emptied out.”
Croghan immediately reported the theft to Comox Valley RCMP, who are currently investigating.
The ashes were kept in a plastic bag inside a blue velvet drawstring pouch.
“Obviously, this is something of great sentimental value to the owner” said Cst. Monika Terragni, Media Relations Officer, Comox Valley RCMP.
“We would like people in the area to keep an eye out for this blue velvet pouch since it may have been tossed onto the ground or into the bushes.”
Croghan is hoping that the person or persons behind the theft see his story and return the ashes, no questions asked.
“I really don’t care about the other items. The only thing I care about is my dad’s ashes. I just want my dad back.”
He added that he is even willing to offer a $500 reward for the return, as the stress of losing his father all over again is affecting his ability to focus on his studies and his personal life.
“He was a good family man, hard-working, just a good person,” Croghan says. “He was the last person in the world that deserves to be dumped in a ditch or a trash can.”
Anyone with information about this theft or the whereabouts of the blue velvet pouch is asked to call the Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321.
Those who wish to report information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online at comoxvalleycrimestoppers.bc.ca.
