LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) – A Las Vegas woman is accused of stealing a casket from a funeral home with a body inside of it.
Patricia Sierra faces charges of burglary, grand larceny and disturbing human remains in connection with the incident on Aug. 27.
According to Las Vegas police, a caller informed them about a body lying face down outside of a cremation and burial services business around 3:30 a.m. that was next to a casket.
Officers arrived and found paperwork next to the casket identifying the body. The documents also said the viewing for the deceased was a day earlier.
Police said surveillance video from inside the business showed a person, later identified as Sierra, breaking the front window and unlocking the front door.
According to an arrest report, Sierra walked into the viewing room, grabbed a casket and brought it out the front door.
Officers said they were able to track down Sierra and in an interview, she admitted to having a substance abuse problem and that she “blacks out.”
The arrest report stated that Sierra told officers she didn’t remember the incident, but admitted she did burglarize a business by using a rock to bust the window or door.
Sierra told police “she was not trying to be malicious and was apologetic.” Officers said she also told them she had consumed six beers.
Sierra’s bail was set at $11,000 with a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 18.
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