WINNEBAGO Co. — A 58-year-old Wisconsin man is accused of stealing historic grave markers from a Fox Crossing cemetery in what police call a months-long investigation.
Bradley Bloch of Lamertine was arrested after investigators say they connected him to a string of cemetery thefts that began earlier this year.
According to court documents, the thefts happened at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Fox Crossing, located just north of Oshkosh.
Cemetery workers first noticed something was out of place in late spring. Six historic cast iron grave markers were discovered missing. These four-foot-tall, 100-pound crosses were not only religious symbols, but also displayed names, birth dates, and death dates of the deceased. Some dated back to the 1800’s.
Police say it wasn’t an easy theft to pull off, given the weight and size of the crosses. But eventually, detectives tracked down the stolen items after finding several listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace and eBay. At least three were sold.
When officers visited Bloch’s home in August, one of the stolen crosses was reportedly found on display in his front yard in Lamartine.
Court records estimate each cross is worth between $10,000 and $15,000.
Bloch was booked in the Winnebago County Jail for theft. Given the amount each of the markers are worth, he faces a decade behind bars if convicted. His next court appearance is scheduled for next month.
