Denver police arrest suspect in connection to grave robbery
John Wayne Belknap, 46, was arrested on charges of abuse of a corpse
Denver police arrested a man in connection to theft of body parts from a mausoleum located at the Crown Hill Cemetery.
Jefferson County Sheriff’s investigators issued a warrant for the arrest of 46-year-old John Wayne Belknap on Tuesday, according to a press release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Following evidence at the scene, investigators were able to connect Belknap to a grave robbery that occurred on Oct. 11.
Deputies responded to a call at the Crown Hill Cemetery around 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 11 regarding the destruction of a private mausoleum. The suspect had allegedly broken into the crypt and forcefully opened a casket inside. Portions of the body in the casket were missing.
Denver officers arrested Belknap on Tuesday evening on charges of felony criminal mischief, abuse of a corpse, 3rd degree burglary, theft and desecration of a venerated object, according to the press release. He is currently being held in the Jefferson County jail.
Investigators said there doesn’t seem to be a direct relationship between Belknap and the deceased body.





