BARNET: Suspected East Finchley cemetery thief arrested (From This Is Local London)

BARNET: Suspected East Finchley cemetery thief arrested

11:59am Friday 19th December 2008 in

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Police have arrested a man in connection with a series of “despicable” thefts in an East Finchley cemetery.

For several months thieves have preyed on mourners as they pay their respects to loved ones in St Islington and St Pancras Cemetery, in High Road, stealing cash from their cars while they visit graves.

Yesterday morning police raided a flat in the Strawberry Vale Estate, in East Finchley, after a lengthy investigation into the spate of thefts.

They arrested a 54-year-old man and in a search of the flat discovered drugs, £7,000 in cash and four shotguns.

Sergeant Lee Benham, of the East Finchley Safer Neighbourhoods Team, said: “The fact that we were also able to seize four shotguns from the property was an added bonus.”

One of the victims was a 58-year-old grandmother, who had her handbag stolen from her car earlier this month while she was laying flowers at her mother’s grave.

Sergeant Benham added: “This is a despicable crime which preys on people when they are at their most vulnerable. When visiting the cemetery to pay respects to lost loved ones, the last thing you need is to get back to your car to find your handbag or valuables stolen.

“This arrest sends out a message that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour and will continue to work hard to arrest the perpetrators.”