A Harrisburg man is facing charges for allegedly stealing plastic wreaths from graves in a cemetery and lighting them on fire on Christmas Eve.
43-year-old Peter J. Custer lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Early in the morning on December 24, Custer reportedly went to Cedar Lawn Memorial Park located in Hagerstown, Maryland.
While Custer was reportedly on the premises, he allegedly collected plastic wreaths from more than one of the gravesites.
According to reports, someone was passing the cemetery and believed that they saw someone standing close to a fire.
The authorities were notified about the situation, and law enforcement went to the cemetery to investigate the claim.
When they arrived and checked the area, the authorities reported that they interacted with, and identified Custer. They additionally said that after they inspected the grounds, they believed that the man had taken plastic wreaths from three or more burial sites.
They believed that Custer took the plastic wreaths to an access road on the grounds, where he proceeded to light them on fire.
The man reportedly thought that he was protecting the environment by destroying materials that are not biodegradable.
When they talked to Custer about the incident, he allegedly informed the authorities that he did set the fire, and he did so in order to “save the earth.”
Custer was taken into custody by Deputy State Fire Marshals, and he was booked into the Washington County Detention Center. He is expected to face charges of second-degree malicious burning, malicious destruction of property under $1,000, and trespassing on private property. He was released on his own recognizance.
The State Fire Marshal stated that “Disturbing final resting places is contemptible, criminal, and will not be tolerated.”
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.