At a Glance
- Jonathan Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, is accused of stealing more than 100 skeletons from cemeteries across three Pennsylvania counties
- Officials claim he burglarized or desecrated 26 mausoleums and underground burial sites at Mount Moriah Cemetery
- The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery have already spent $20,000 repairing targeted gravesites and mausoleums
- Why it matters: The crimes have forced the nonprofit to launch a fundraising campaign to pay for new cameras, fence repairs, and random patrols to protect the historic cemetery
Mount Moriah Cemetery, which straddles Philadelphia and Delaware counties, is scrambling to install new security measures after a local man allegedly looted more than 100 skeletons from its grounds.
John R. Schmehl, Jr., president of the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery, announced the emergency upgrades on social media, writing that the volunteer group is working to “address these violations of our sacred space.” Schmehl noted he has a family legacy at the cemetery and called the thefts a direct attack on its heritage.
Arrest and Charges
Police arrested Jonathan Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, last week. According to investigators, Gerlach targeted cemeteries in Delaware County, Philadelphia, and Luzerne County, removing remains from multiple sites.
He faces:
- 26 counts of burglary
- 26 counts of criminal trespass
- 100 counts of abuse of corpse
- 100 counts of receiving stolen property
- 26 counts of intentional desecration of public monument
- Additional related offenses
Officials tied Gerlach to 26 separate mausoleums and underground burial sites inside Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Security Overhaul
Schmehl said the friends group has fast-tracked an expansion of its surveillance-camera network across the property. Crews have also started repairing fencing along:
- 61st Street
- 63rd Street
- Kingsessing Avenue
The organization recently finished rebuilding the fence line near the SEPTA loop and plans to patrol the cemetery “at random hours” to deter trespassers.
Funding Gap
The nonprofit has already spent $20,000 to repair mausoleums and gravesites damaged during the break-ins. Contractors quoted $9,000 for materials to fix a single section of fence, Schmehl said, prompting the group to ask the public for donations.
Anyone wishing to contribute can email [email protected] or visit the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery website.
Key Takeaways
- More than 100 skeletons were allegedly stolen from Mount Moriah Cemetery and other regional burial grounds
- The accused burglar targeted 26 mausoleums and underground vaults within the cemetery
- The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery has spent tens of thousands on repairs and needs additional funds to finish security upgrades
