Grave robbers have stolen $160,000 worth of valuable bronze from at least 65 mausoleums in a historic Bronx cemetery.
Police sources revealed that the thief or thieves sliced off door handles, vents and name plates from 65 mausoleums at St. Raymond Cemetery in Throgs Neck between Friday and yesterday.
The arrests were discovered yesterday and no arrests have been made yet. Police are uncertain whether this was a lone criminal or a gang.
St. Raymond Cemetery is one of the busiest graveyards in the country, burying about 4,000 people a year.
Famous graves include that of jazz singer Billie Holiday and world champion boxer Hector ‘Macho’ Camacho was buried there in December after he was shot dead.
Thieves steal bronze as it is easy to sell it on as scrap.
The police source said inadequate security at the cemetery made the theft easier.
The cemetery office and the Church of St. Raymond were not available for comment.
