Man accused of taking E. Wash. grave markers

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- A 48-year-old man accused of taking tombstones and statuettes from Eastern Washington cemeteries is scheduled to be arraigned this week in Stevens County.

The Spokesman-Review reported Sunday that (http://bit.ly/IOzlw5) that Terry Verhaag, of Valley, Wash., faces three counts of unlawful removal of a grave marker. Verhaag told authorities he merely wanted to bless the grave markers with holy water.

Authorities in Stevens County recovered more than 70 headstones in Verhaag's pickup, in his yard and inside buildings on his property. The items were taken from cemeteries in Chewelah and Valley, Wash.

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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com

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