A 24-year-old cemetery worker has been arrested after authorities say he dug up a recently buried grave to retrieve a gold ring from an urn he had helped inter just days earlier.

The incident occurred at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Fishers, a suburban community northeast of Indianapolis. The suspect, identified as Seth Davidson, was found by police “covered in dirt from head to toe,” standing near an open grave. Investigators say he admitted to digging up the plot because he “couldn’t stop thinking about” the ring inside the urn.

According to police reports, Davidson had been involved in the original burial of the cremation urn and was aware it contained a valuable ring. Days later, he returned to the cemetery after hours and exhumed the site. His actions triggered a security alert, and responding officers discovered him still at the scene, allegedly preparing to take the urn and ring with him.

The urn belonged to a deceased individual whose family had arranged for the ring to be buried with the remains as a sentimental gesture. Authorities say Davidson intended to pawn the ring.

He has been charged with felony theft, cemetery mischief, criminal trespass, and disturbing the ground for artifacts from a grave — all serious offenses under Indiana law.

In a statement, Oaklawn Memorial Gardens called the incident “deeply disturbing and in no way reflective of the values or practices of our staff.” The cemetery has since increased security measures and is reviewing employee screening protocols.

Davidson is currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail, awaiting trial. No bond information has been released as of this writing