The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Florida Man is facing several charges after being accused of stealing and selling a minimum of 125 cemetery vases so he could spend the money on fentanyl.
31-year-old Douglas Deck Jr. lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
On July 21, a scrap metal yard in St. Petersburg notified the authorities about someone they identified as Deck Jr. that had visited their establishment on July 12, 13, 14, and 19 with bronze vases for sale. The vases are used for holding flowers and offerings at gravesites, but the man was reportedly selling them as scrap metal.
According to reports, the total weight of the vases sold was 661 pounds, and Deck Jr. was given approximately $4,600 for the metal.
When the burglary and pawn unit detectives went to the scrap metal yard, they reported that they collected 124 of the vases. The surveillance videos from the time that the suspect was at the site were also reviewed, and the authorities identified Deck as the alleged robber.
During their investigation, the police learned that the bronze receptacles were missing from gravesites at the Memorial Park Funeral Home.
It was reported that Deck lives less than 200 feet from the funeral home grounds, and his bicycle was allegedly found in the cemetery.
The police talked to Deck about the vases, and the man allegedly told them that he found them.
When he was checked by the officers, they reportedly found him holding .25 grams of fentanyl.
Deck was placed under arrest on suspicion of four counts of dealing in stolen property, one count of damage or removal of a tomb or monument, and possession of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of a $105,000 bond.
The cemetery reported that the damage from removing the vases from the graves will cost $150,000 to repair.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a theft offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.