VANCOUVER, WA (KPTV) -
Thieves in north Washington targeted families during their most vulnerable time, police said.
Officers said so-called obituary burglars in North Washington stole from homeowners while they were at funerals for loved ones, using information gathered from paper obituaries.
However, detectives got a break in the case this week after some of the stolen items were discovered at a Portland pawnshop, as well as outside a daycare in Vancouver Tuesday morning.
SLIDESHOW: Obituary burglaries evidence found
"I came in through this gate, and there were two boxes right here," said Antonio Buckley, who works at Kid Space on NE 94th Avenue.
Buckley told FOX 12 when he looked inside the boxes, he discovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry.
"There were Rolex watches, bracelets, necklaces... papers showing how much they were worth," described Buckley.
Buckley called Vancouver police, who discovered the items were connected to the burglary case in Marysville, WA.
Detectives say thieves stole safes filled with family jewelry and keepsakes belonging to John and Danutsia Burgy.
Nearly two weeks after the crime, the couple was reunited with some of their recovered valuables Wednesday.
"You got to get a break. Vancouver made the break for us," John Burgy told Q13 News in Seattle.
John Burgy says he's grateful for the discovery made in Vancouver, but, unfortunately, some of the jewelry was damaged and stripped of its gems.
Meanwhile, Marysville police are still searching for the two burglary suspects, identified as Tyler Chase and Corey Arendt, linked to a string of obituary-related burglaries north of Seattle, according to investigators.
"I don't know how to describe someone like that," said Buckley. "It's really, really low."
Buckley is now following the investigation online through news stories. He says he's glad he could help the Burgy family.
"It feels good to help them get their stuff back because it means a lot to them," said Buckley.
However, John Burgy said he's hopeful items still missing will eventually be returned, including a priceless piece of a uniform his father-in-law, a veteran, wore while in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.
Police believe suspects Chase and Arendt may still be in the Portland or Vancouver area.
Investigators believe they're driving a rental car, described as a black 2011 Chevrolet Impala with Oregon license plate 376ETA.
Anyone who sees the vehicle is urged to call 911. It's believed the suspects are armed and dangerous.
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