Police are investigating the theft of a ring from a body at Preston General Cemetery.
The cemetery on Plenty road was broken into at 5am on July 30.
Police believe at least two men broke in, and accessed a mausoleum by damaging an external window.
While inside, they removed a casket containing the body of a woman.
Investigators believe that a diamond ring of significant value was removed from the body.
Police consulted with the deceased’s family to determine what other items may have been damaged or stolen from the crypt.
There was no damage to any other crypts within the mausoleum.
Police released images on Friday of the two men in the hope someone can identify them or provide further information.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks said police believe the incident was targetted.
“This is a highly unusual incident and I know there has been a lot of speculation, particularly in criminal circles, as to why this incident happened and who was responsible,” he said.
“While theft is not discounted as the only motive, police are receiving consistent intelligence that this was undertaken as a form of retribution against a relative of the deceased woman.”
The pair were wearing gas masks, hooded jumpers and dark clothing.
It’s believed one of the men had a larger build and one had a smaller build.
