A New York man stole the ashes of his ex-boss’ daughter and held them for ransom, Montco DA says
Nuo Chen broke into his former employer's home in Willow Grove and stole the urn in an attempt to force her to pay him $8,000 he believed he was owed, police said.
For a perceived debt of $8,000, a New York man stole an urn containing the ashes of his former employer’s daughter and attempted to hold the remains for ransom, according to Montgomery County prosecutors.
Nuo Chen, 30, told the victim that if she didn’t pay him, he would dump the ashes and flee back to his home in Flushing, Queens, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.
Chen happened to call the victim while she was being interviewed by Bensalem Police about the theft, and they were able to set up a meeting at the nail salon she owns under the guise of her paying him the money.
Officers took Chen into custody June 12, and he was charged with burglary, theft and related crimes. He remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Montgomery County Deputy Chief Public Defender Michael Drossner, whose office is representing Chen, declined to comment on the case.
The victim also declined to comment on the case or speak about her daughter when contacted by a reporter Thursday.
Investigators say the woman told them Chen broke into her home June 12 using keys he had previously taken while staying there with her.
Earlier that day, Chen had visited her at the nail salon, arguing with her about money he said she owed him, the affidavit said. During the argument, Chen threatened to “smash things in the store” and pushed the woman.
She had fired Chen weeks earlier, police said, due to his erratic behavior.
After the argument at the nail salon, Chen drove to the woman’s home in Willow Grove, and was seen on surveillance footage carrying the urn containing her daughter’s ashes, according to the affidavit.
He called the woman, telling her not to contact the police or she would never see the urn again.
Later, after Bensalem arrested Chen outside the nail salon, he admitted that he had entered her home without her permission, using the key he had previously taken.
Chen is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on June 26.
