The guards at Riker’s Island better keep an eye on the precious metals.
A disheveled-looking Louis Paduto, 56, was arraigned today on grand larceny, cemetery desecration and criminal mischief charges for allegedly removing about $160,000 worth of brass and bronze from 40 mausoleums at the Bronx’s historic St. Raymond’s Cemetery.
Bronx Criminal Court Judge Shawn Kelly ordered Paduto, who was also charged with possession of a crack pipe, held on $1,000 — which his lawyer admitted his client will be unable to post because he is homeless.
Paduto allegedly admitted to the ghoulish thefts that occurred at midnight, Feb. 14 and again at 8 am, Feb. 18 when police say he ran off dropping a bag containing his loot after security guards confronted him. He was arrested that same evening.
“Starting about two weeks ago, I started taking handles and vent covers. I took the grates, yeah they were brass, I sold them and I got about $200 for them,” he told cops, according to the criminal complaint.
His lawyer called the incriminating statements bogus, charged the cops put the words in his mouth and that they targeted Paduto because he is homeless.
“Mr. Paduto is being made the fall guy,” said Legal Aid lawyer Cynthia Pong, who called the case “completely circumstantial.”
Paduto faces up to seven years behind bar in prison for the grand larceny charges — an additional four years for first degree cemetery desecration charges. He returns to court Feb.25.