TAVARES – Authorities have arrested and charged two men with breaking into gravesites and stealing the heads of four corpses at Greenwood Cemetery in Mount Dora for ritualistic ceremonies on Dec. 6.
It was the modern science of DNA – not witchcraft – that led to a confession and the grisly discovery of remains in one of the men’s homes.
Investigators say it was genetic evidence on a cigar that led to the arrest of Brian Montalvo Tolentino, 43, of Davenport. Practitioners of Santeria black magic often leave offerings of cigars, coins, fruit, candy and slain chickens.
Tolentino’s genetic information was in the state’s DNA crime data base, but it is not clear why.
Deputies: Suspects arrested in theft of human remains for likely ritual activity
By FOX 35 News Staff
Published
Two arrested for vandalizing cemetery
Arrests have been made after it was discovered that graves were dug up at the Edgewood Cemetery in Mount Dora.
LAKE COUNTY, Fla. - Two suspects have been arrested after human remains were stolen from graves at the Edgewood Cemetery in Mount Dora.
The Lake County Sheriff s Office launched an investigation at a cemetery after several graves were broken into in December during what they believe was a ritual of some sort.
Deputies say they were able to identify the suspects through DNA test results. Arrest warrants were issued and served for the two men, who were located in Polk County
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