Two accused of robbing Oakbrook Terrace graves

Police issued arrest warrants Tuesday for two men who are accused of robbing dozens of grave sites in an Oakbrook Terrace cemetery.

Louis Cortez, 25, of Berwyn and Ervin Callicut, 51, of Chicago are facing felony theft charges. Police said they stole more than 65 bronze and copper vases Sept. 27 from Chapel Hill Cemetery.

The men apparently planned to sell the material for scrap value. An Illinois State Police trooper uncovered the scheme when he stopped the men in a stolen car after they pulled out of the cemetery. The trooper discovered the stolen loot during the traffic stop, according to reports.

"Grieving families deserve better than to have the final resting place of their loved ones looted by grave robbers," DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett said. "Anyone who sees fit to steal from the dead is going to pay a price."

If convicted, the men face one to three years in prison. They also are eligible for probation.

Oakbrook Terrace Police Chief Mark Collins said the stolen vases were valued at about $8,000. Besides the theft allegations, Cortez is facing possession of a stolen motor vehicle charges; Callicut is charged with criminal trespass to a motor vehicle.