Man read obits to break into homes of dead residents in the Grosse Pointes, officials say

A 44-year-old man has been charged in connection with break-ins at homes in the Grosse Pointes of residents who died, officials said.

Jerry Ryan Ashley has been arraigned through the Grosse Pointe Municipal Court on four cases, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced last week.

The Detroit resident allegedly targeted the residences by searching through the obituaries of the recently deceased, prosecutors said.

On Jan. 18, Ashley stole multiple items from a home on the 600 block of Rivard Street in Grosse Pointe before fleeing the scene, officials reported.

On Feb. 8, he pretended to perform yard work on a home on the 500 block of North Brys in Grosse Pointe Woods before breaking into the home and stealing multiple pieces of jewelry, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

He allegedly did the same ruse before breaking into another home in the 500 block of Coventry Lane on Feb. 9.

"He did this at a very sad and vulnerable time for most families. It’s unfortunate, but we must be vigilant about this issue," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in the release.

Grosse Pointe Woods police arrested him on Feb 27, the same day he was accused of breaking into a home in the 2000 block of Anita Road then fleeing, investigators said.

"This was an extraordinary effort from our detectives working around the clock with assistance from other departments to bring this person to justice,” said Grosse Pointe Woods Police Chief John Kosanke in a statement.

John Alcorn, Grosse Pointe's police chief, added: "Law enforcement is often a collaborative effort, and this is a perfect example of that. The detectives from Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe City were on top of this case and received additional support from detectives in Grosse Pointe Farms and the patrol divisions throughout the Grosse Pointes. These departments worked together to stop this thief."

Ashley was arraigned March 1 on all three Grosse Pointe Woods cases and given a $250,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 13 at 9:00 a.m.

He also was given a $250,000 bond at his arraignment Thursday. A probable cause conference is scheduled for March 21 at 9:30 a.m.

An attorney listed as representing Ashley did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

mjohnson@detroitnews.com