Clyde man arraigned after police find trove of stolen cemetery items at his home

Stolen cemetery items at Jeffrey Huey's residence in Clyde. Police allege Mr. Huey stole dozens of items from area cemeteries, including items from the Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky.

SANDUSKY-- A 23-year-old Clyde, Ohio man was arraigned today in Sandusky Municipal Court on felony charges of theft, vandalism, and breaking and entering after police discovered a trove of cemetery items -- from angels to urns -- at his residence.

Jeffrey Huey’s bond was set at $20,000, with an option to post 10 percent cash. He remained lodged at the Erie County jail this afternoon. A number listed to his residence in Clyde was disconnected.

Law enforcement investigating the theft of cemetery items at Oakland Cemetery in Sandusky set up an electronic surveillance system to monitor the property, including a potted tree used as bait at the same site where two previous trees had been taken. On Friday, police were alerted of activity at the cemetery and observed a sport utility vehicle, with a palm tree in the back, exiting the cemetery.

The driver, Mr. Huey, was interviewed and allegedly confessed to taking the palm tree and three additional cement pots from the cemetery during other trips.

"We set the mouse trap and caught a mouse," said Sandusky police Det. Gary Wichman, of the cemetery sting operation that included electronic surveillance devices borrowed  from the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Police went to the residence he shares with his parents in Clyde and spotted dozens of cemetery items outside the home and along the driveway. Police believe items were taken from regional cemeteries, including the Toledo area and southern Michigan, and are trying to identify cemeteries where items have gone missing.

Mr. Huey is scheduled to be back in court on June 13.