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Cranberry man charged with taking grave vases
Source:
Butler Eagle
Written by:
Jim Smith
Published:
February 24, 2010
CRANBERRY TWP — Police Monday arrested a suspected thief wanted for the theft of dozens of bronze vases from grave sites at a township cemetery.
Christopher D. Russo, 33, of Cranberry allegedly intended to sell the stolen items for scrap, but failed, Cranberry police said.
Investigators caught on to Russo's alleged scheme and obtained an arrest warrant in December.
District Judge Sue Haggerty on Monday arraigned Russo on 147 criminal counts, 108 of them felonies, stemming from the October theft at Pinewood Memorial Gardens on Route 19.
Russo is free on $10,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for Friday.
An administrator at the cemetery first reported the vases missing Oct. 30. Police suspect the property was taken between Oct. 27 and 30.
The large cylindrical containers each weigh about 10 pounds and sell for about $250.
Police immediately alerted scrap dealers about the theft. On Oct. 31, investigators learned Russo had driven to TnT Metals in Pittsburgh's Strip District, seeking to sell three dozen bronze vases, court documents said.
TnT Metals officials knew Russo because he had previously sold other scrap there.
When the officials asked where he had gotten the vases, according to a police affidavit, Russo told them he bought them at a "cemetery flea market."
But the business would not buy the vases. Instead, officials alerted police about Russo's inquiry.
Police later went to Russo's home where they found the vases in his car's trunk.
Russo, documents said, has admitted to the theft.
He is charged with 36 felony counts each of theft, receiving stolen property and institutional vandalism. Additionally, he faces 36 counts of desecration or theft of venerated objects and three other misdemeanor charges.
Russo did not immediately return a telephone message seeking comment.
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