Father, son charged in tombstone theft

Latham, N.Y. -- Police said they have arrested a father and son who allegedly plotted to steal thousands of pounds of tombstones from a granite company in New York state.

Investigators said Demetrius Lanier, 35, and his son, Shateek Lanier, 19, attempted to leave Stefanazzi & Spargo Granite Co. in Latham with $6,000 worth of tombstones in the back of their rented truck Sunday, the Albany (N.Y.) Times-Union reported Monday.

Detective Lt. John Van Alstyne said both men were charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property and misdemeanor possession of burglar tools. He said more charges are possible.

Van Alstyne said investigators are currently stumped as to what the father-son duo planned to do with the haul.

"It's a first for me -- I'm not really sure what kind of after-market there is for those," Van Alstyne said.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.