4 men charged with stealing from graveyards in Hardin County

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Four men were arrested for vandalizing several cemeteries in Hardin County.

The Hardin County's Sheriff's Office said it received more than two dozen reports of vandalism and theft at several graveyards. Its investigation led to the arrests of Tomas Bernardo, Gaven Carayoan, Jesse Barcinas and Joseph Mendiola, all from Radcliff.

"The desecration of graves is among the most disturbing crimes we could encounter, and it strikes at the heart of our community's values," Sheriff John Ward said in a written statement this week. "I want to commend our Detective Unit for their outstanding work in swiftly identifying suspects and making arrests in this case. Their expertise and dedication reflect the very best of law enforcement, and I want to assure out citizens that we will continue working tirelessly until every individual responsible is held accountable."

One woman said her mother is buried at one of the cemeteries that was vandalized, and the news was heartbreaking.

"Sadness, disappointment that somebody would actually steal brass from a gravesite of my mothers," the woman said. "I felt sadder for my father than anything."

She said her father would check on the grave every Sunday morning, and he was the one who discovered the vase was gone.

"He protected her for all of those years and loved her, and I guess he probably feels deep down he wasn't able to protect her from that," she said.

Deputies said Monday that detectives began collecting evidence of stolen and vandalized property from local scrap yards. They then arrested the four suspects.

"I think the people that stole the plaques need to repay the families and I think they need to give those families an apology because there's been a lot of families affected by this," the woman said.

All four men are charged with violating graves and theft, both felonies in Kentucky.

Louisville kids find hope, mentorship through drumming amid rise in youth gun violence

New order bars Brooks Houck from selling most of his 73 properties in Nelson County