Police say they've arrested the burglar who stole tens of thousands of dollars' worth of bronze from mausoleums at a Bronx cemetery.
Louis Peduto, 56, was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar tools and criminal possession of controlled substance.
Peduto is suspected of stealing valuable door handles, vents and name plates, among other items, from 63 mausoleums at St. Raymond's Cemetery in Throgs Neck over the last five days, according to police. The stolen property amounted to more than $189,000.
Peduto is homeless and often loiters in the cemetery, police said. They distributed fliers with his picture to local businesses and on Tuesday afternoon, patrol officers saw him and placed him under arrest.
About 4,000 people, primarily Catholics, are buried in St. Raymond Cemetery each year, including celebrities like include singer Billie Holiday and former boxing champion Hector "Macho" Camacho.
Local
There are no security cameras in the cemetery, but a spokesperson for the Archdiocese said there are several guards on patrol at night after the gates are locked.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
