Maha Christopher
A New York man has been accused of stealing the ashes of his former employer’s daughter and demanding money in exchange for their return.
According to People, Nuo Chen was arrested on June 12 in connection with the incident, which allegedly took place in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Authorities alleged that Chen stole an urn containing the remains of his former boss’s daughter over a dispute involving an alleged $8,000 debt.
The victim, who owns a nail salon in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, told police that Chen previously worked for her but was dismissed after allegedly behaving erratically around customers.
She also claimed that Chen had stayed at her home in the past and believed he may have retained a key to the property.
According to reports, Chen arrived at the salon on June 12 and demanded money. He allegedly threatened to damage property inside the business and pushed the woman before leaving.
Police said Chen later went to the woman’s residence and allegedly took the urn containing her daughter’s ashes.
He subsequently contacted his former employer and allegedly demanded that she meet him at the nail salon, warning that he would not return the urn if she involved law enforcement.
Authorities said the woman was already speaking with police when the call was made. Investigators then arranged a meeting with Chen under the pretext of paying him.
He was later arrested by law enforcement officers.
Court records show that Chen has been charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft by unlawful taking, theft by extortion and receiving stolen property.
It was not immediately clear whether he had entered a plea to the charges.
