BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. — A judge denied Emanuel Eric Padilla bond during a hearing Monday. The judge considered the 22-year-old’s prior criminal record and considered him to be a threat to the community.
During the hearing lawyers said Padilla was not competent for bail review. There was also concern for his mental well-being. When asked addressed by the judge Padilla said, “I am caught up in a conspiracy.”
He was arrested by Baltimore County Police last Thursday after they received a burglary call at Gardens of Faith Memorial Gardens on Thursday.
RELATED: Man arrested on Thursday following burglary, destruction at mausoleum
According to the police, the property manager contacted officers at 2:20 p.m. after a man was seen shattering glass display cases containing urns and memorabilia.
Investigators say he also stole jewelry and other items that had been left in the display cases, then destroyed the urns containing the ashes of the deceased. He then used a fire extinguisher to destroy a number of marble tombstone vaults containing human remains and discharged the fire extinguisher around the mausoleum.
“It just doesn’t make any sense,” said Thomas Lillard. “This is a place of serenity. I don’t know why someone in their right mind would do this.”
Officials estimate the destruction and theft value at over $50,000.
WMAR-2 News reached out to the cemetery for comment and was directed to corporate communications. As of deadline, they have not responded to our request for an interview.
The mausoleum remains closed as cleanup is underway. We’re told cemetery staff is working to identify families involved and reunite them with the stolen and missing items.
Padilla remains in custody, charged with the following:
- Second degree burglary
- Fourth degree burglary
- Two counts Destruction of property
- Theft
- Removing human remains
- Two counts of destroying funerary object
