Delco grave robbery suspect may be tied to cemetery thefts in Luzerne County
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Investigators believe several thefts from an abandoned cemetery in Luzerne County may be linked to grave robbery suspect Jonathan Gerlach.
Gerlach, 34, is accused of carrying out months of burglaries at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon, where police say he rappelled into mausoleums, stole human remains, and sold some of them online. He faces more than 500 counts, including burglary and abuse of corpse.
According to WGAL, investigators now believe Gerlach may also be connected to crimes at the Good Shepherd Memorial Mausoleum in Plains Township, Luzerne County, one of several abandoned cemeteries in the area.
Sometime after Nov. 1, 2025, the graves of Mary Cappellini Paga and Leo Terence were broken into and robbed. Funeral director Chris Yanaitis was present when the mausoleum was boarded up and declared a crime scene.
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"It's one thing to know where your family is and that they're at peace," Yanaitis said. "But it's another thing to have them taken and not know what's being done with them."
Court documents say human remains wrapped in plastic were found near cigarettes and energy drink cans close to the open crypts. Investigators believe the evidence may be tied to Gerlach.
Shortly after the initial break-in, officials received an emergency order to remove two additional crypts because of evidence suggesting attempted break-ins, WGAL reported.
Gerlach has not been charged in connection with the Luzerne County cases.
He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 17 in the Delaware County case.
