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Deputies: Man Steals, Sells Dunedin Cemetery's Vases

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By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 16, 2008

William Moncalieri

LARGO - A 29-year-old Palm Harbor man was arrested Monday on charges he stole dozens of bronze vases from a cemetery where he used to work and sold them to a recycling business, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

William B. Moncalieri was charged with injuring or removing a tomb or monument, dealing in stolen property, petty theft and trespassing. He was being held at Pinellas County Jail. Bail was set at $30,500.

Numerous visitors to Eternal Rest Memories Park, 2966 Belcher Road, Dunedin, had reported bronze vases missing, sheriff's spokeswoman Cecilia Barreda said. The vases typically hold flowers and are left at graves.

One of those visitors was at One Steel Recycling at 2032 Gentry St., Clearwater, and saw one of the vases, Barreda said. Investigators determined Moncalieri had been selling the vases to One Steel, Barreda said.

Investigators say 110 vases were taken from the cemetery, Barreda said. Together they weigh about 720 pounds and sold for $1.40 a pound, fetching $1,008, she said.

Moncalieri was fired from the cemetery in January, Barreda said.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.

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