[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 11/02/20]
FRUITLAND PARK, Florida — A Leesburg woman accused of stealing items from her ex-husband’s grave in September and October, was picked up for the crimes on Halloween and released on bond the same day.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Fruitland Park Police began investigating a theft complaint on Sept. 23; the victim told police numerous items had been stolen from her fiancé’s grave, including a ring, two wedding invitations, two planters, a light, a pair of Costa sunglasses valued at $250 and other items, valued at a total of $438.
FPPD contacted the owner of the cemetery plot and she told police she contacted the deceased man’s ex-wife, Ronni Leigh Kimberlin, 32, and Kimberlin told her she did not take the items. A FPPD officer spoke with Kimberlin by phone about the thefts and she reportedly said, “I heard of the family drama, but I did not take the items. This is ridiculous! Law enforcement should never have been called.”
On Oct. 19, the victim made a second report after more items were taken, including a painting and a cup valued at more than $35. Three days later, the victim brought a witness to FPPD who said she was with Kimberlin in September and October when she took the items, according to the affidavit. The witness told police Kimberlin took a glass bottle and “disposed of it down a dirt road described as ‘crackhead path,’ in Leesburg,” the affidavit states. Kimberlin asked the witness to assist her in removing the planters and told the witness she planned to give them her brother. They were later found at his house, according to the affidavit, and a warrant was issued for Kimberlin’s arrest Friday.
Kimberlin was picked up by Leesburg Police on a warrant charging her with petit theft and injuring or removing tomb or monument (disturbing contents of a grave or a tomb). She was released from the Lake County Jail on $6,000 bond
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
