Police Charge College Student For Obit Break-Ins

Police believe a UNC-Charlotte student is the prime suspect in a series of costly break-ins that took place while homeowners attended funerals.

Christopher Criner, 22, was arrested and charged with burglary and possession of a stolen car after police searched his apartment in the University Area Wednesday.

Police believe Criner was using obituaries on the Internet to determine when expensive homes would be empty.

"You hit someone at their lowest point -- you come home from a funeral and your house has been broken into," said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Detective Ole Swenson.

Police believe Criner is connected to at least eight break-ins.

Officials said Criner told neighbors and police that he was going to graduate this year and go to law school.

"That's terrible to take advantage of people like that. I wouldn't have thought that he was that type of person. He told me he was going to school to be a lawyer," said neighbor Melissa Rivera.

Melissa's roommate said that Criner was showing her his new car Wednesday night when police pulled up and arrested him.

Investigators are not sure if Criner was working alone or whether he had several accomplices. They are looking for other break-ins to see if Criner is involved with more crimes.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600.