SAN ANTONIO — The owner of a local funeral headstone company, has been arrested for theft. Police say she allegedly took advantage of families during one of their most vulnerable times.
On Saturday, San Antonio police arrested 47-year-old Elena Moreno, the owner of Angelic Monuments on a theft charge of $2,500 to $30,000.
“The family that was the victim of this case paid in full, and it was about $8,000 that they paid for the headstone, that they never received,” said Ricardo Guzman, Public Information Officer, SAPD.
Police said Moreno told the family it could be up to a year before they received their headstone, but that year came and went.
“So they kept wondering, you know, What's going on with the delays? They kept receiving, excuses from the company, why their headstone was never delivered,” said Officer Guzman.
Authorities said the thefts have been emotional for the families who are already dealing with the death of a loved one.
“Especially not being able to receive that closure that they're waiting for this headstone is frustrating, heartbreaking, but we're bringing justice for those families,” said Officer Guzman.
Right now, Moreno is only facing a theft charge in connection to one family, but police say there could be more.
“We have multiple victims already that have come out and said that they're victims of this company. Again, that they didn't receive headstones. Those are investigations are concurrent with this investigation,” said Officer Guzman.
Police are encouraging other victims to come forward.
“If anybody recognizes, this company and says hey, I'm a victim of this company as well. Call police. Call the non-emergency number. Make a report with the officer now and it will get forwarded to a property crimes unit, and they can investigate this incident," said Officer Guzman.