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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah man was arrested this week after police say he acknowledged damaging more than 30 cemetery headstones because he wanted to help the deceased be brought back to life.
Spencer Robinson, 36, told police after his arrest Monday that the headstones were interfering with the people's ability to be resurrected, Payson Police Lt. Bill Wright said.
It appears Robinson did the damage early Sunday morning before sunset at a cemetery in Payson cemetery, Wright said. Payson is a city of about 19,000 located 60 miles south of Salt Lake City.
The headstones were found by police midday Sunday in varying stages of destruction. Some were smashed into pieces. Others were just slid off the base. Some were thrown over a fence.
Many were more than 100 years old and probably can't be repaired, Wright said. The damage is estimated to be about $50,000.
Robinson was arrested Monday on suspicion of a felony count of intentionally damaging property. He is also facing charges of resisting arrest and criminal trespassing.
The AP sought comment on the charges from Robinson but could not verify whether he had a listed telephone number or an attorney.
Police have had previous encounters with Robinson.
Cemetery workers spotted Robinson near the headstones last Thursday. He was asked to leave, but wasn't arrested because he hadn't done any damage.
When police received a report Sunday morning of headstones being damaged, they suspected Robinson. They found his cellphone at the cemetery and arrested him at his house Monday evening, Wright said.
"He said it was unfair and inconvenient to have these stones on top of the people," Wright said. "He said he was trying to help the deceased."
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