Thieves swipe man’s ashes during car break-ins

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Family members are searching for answers after the ashes of a man were stolen from a vehicle in Indianapolis Thursday.

Donald Sobczak was a Hoosier through and through. He grew up in Northern Indiana. He graduated from Indiana University, and despite living in Arizona for most of his adult life he still considered Indiana home.

That’s why family members say it came as no surprise that Sobczak would ask for his ashes to be scattered near an Indiana lake.

In July, Sobczak lost his battle with cancer. His lifelong partner promised to spread his ashes at Webster Lake in Kosciusko County.

While making the long commute from Arizona to Indiana, Sobczak family made a pit stop at Steak ‘N Shake in Indianapolis on the 8100 block of East 96 Street.

While inside, someone broke into the Sobczak’s family’s SUV. The suspects snatched a computer, numerous items and a Crown Royal bag. Inside that bag, were Donald’s ashes.

“I’m assuming they didn’t know. It happened so fast they grabbed all the bags the computer cases,” said Donald’s sister-in-law Tammy Sobczak. “They wouldn’t have known what is in it until they looked later.”

The family made a plea on Friday afternoon, not for the suspects to turn themselves, but to return the ashes.

“If you can bring him back, put him on the sidewalk somewhere, call somebody let us know where he is, we want him back,” said Sobczak.

Despite not having the ashes, Sobczak family plans to still have a memorial in honor of Donald.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department took several reports of car break-ins in the area. It’s unknown if police have any leads in the investigation.

Crime Stoppers at 317- 262-TIPS, if you have any information in this investigation. Your tip will remain anonymous.