Provincial police are asking for the public's help in tracking down thieves who stole something unusual from a church in Sainte-Hyacinthe over the New Year. 

Sometime between four p.m. on New Year's Eve and noon on New Year's Day, someone broke into the columbarium at the Sainte-Hyacinthe Cathedral. Provincial police sergeant Joyce Kemp says the front door of the columbarium was broken and inside, the windows of several niches were smashed.  

The thieves stole two urns containing cremated remains,  The motive for the theft isn't yet known.

Investigators are in the process of notifying relatives of the people whose remains were swiped.

In the meantime, police are asking for the public's help in tracking down the culprits.  Anyone with information about the break-in should call 1-800-659-4264.

Photo: provided by SQ