Robbers steal diamond ring from woman's grave in 'highly unusual' theft

BUNDOORA, AUSTRALIA: Two robbers pilfered a ring from a woman's grave at Preston General Cemetery. Interestingly, they were apparently instructed to disturb the resting place of the woman, who was the sister of an underworld crime, figure to inflict harm.

However, they refrained from carrying out the full act, which was to remove the body from the mausoleum, opting instead to steal a valuable diamond ring from her casket.

Furthermore, investigators suspect that an overseas crime boss orchestrated this peculiar crime.

The police, who are currently investigating a violent conflict between criminal syndicates, have shifted their focus to the desecration of the crypt.

What happened in the woman's grave?

Information about the woman's identity comes in the wake of Victoria Police's announcement on Friday regarding a disturbing incident at a cemetery in Preston shortly before 5 am on July 30, 2023, as reported by 9 News.

In the incident, two individuals stole a diamond ring from the body of Meshilin Marrogi, who was the sister of convicted murderer and drug importer George Marrogi. Meshilin passed away in 2021 at the age of 30 after contracting Covid-19.

George Marrogi, the reputed underworld figure, is currently serving a 32-year jail term for the murder of an underworld rival, with an additional 16 years added to his sentence for drug trafficking. He is also accused of founding a gang while behind bars, named the Notorious Crime Family gang.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks, representing the Lunar Taskforce, addressed the media on Friday afternoon, explaining the decision to publicize a crime designed to "cause friction and hurt to the brother of Meshilin."

What did Inspector Graham Banks say about theft in cemetery?

Banks found the CCTV footage captured the two men breaking into the mausoleum, donned in gas masks, hooded jumpers, and dark clothing.

He noted, "This is a highly unusual incident and I know there has been a lot of speculation, particularly in criminal circles, as to why this incident happened and who was responsible," believing it to be a "targetted incident."

"They attempted to access the casket, in doing so they managed to break a glass window in the coffin and they removed a diamond ring of substantial value," Banks explained, per 9 News.

He added, "However, police do not believe theft was their motivating reason for their attendance that day, the motivating reason we believe was the removal of the body from the mausoleum and take it away."

The inspector continued, "We don't have clarity of what the purpose of taking it away was for but certainly it was to cause friction and hurt to the brother of Meshilin, who is George Marrogi."

Banks refrained from identifying the man believed to be orchestrating the incident but indicated his involvement in a "significant criminal enterprise." He emphasized, "We've received consistent information since this incident occurred that a male who is overseas has directed this incident," he said.

He further added, "He's a person of substantial criminal background, he's no longer a resident of Australia.

He concluded, "We believe that he's leading a significant criminal enterprise that's impacting not just Victoria but other states."

To aid the investigation, police have released CCTV footage of the two men who were responsible for breaking into the grave and stealing the ring.