Man Arrested for Stealing Hundreds of Human Skulls and Remains from Cemeteries

Disturbing Discovery in Pennsylvania

• 💡 Police uncovered hundreds of human skulls and skeletal remains in a basement, described as a scene from a horror film.
• 🎯 The discovery was allegedly made by 34-year-old Jonathan Gerlock, who is accused of desecrating graves and collecting human bones.

Cemetery Break-ins and Investigation

• 🔍 The investigation began with a tip about a disturbing basement display, leading authorities to historic cemeteries like Mount Mariah.
• 🔑 Detectives pieced together clues such as energy drink cans, a tent stake, and license plate reader data to identify a suspect vehicle.
• 🚗 A burgundy Toyota RAV 4 registered to Jonathan Gerlock was repeatedly spotted near the cemetery during the times of the break-ins.

Social Media and Online Trade

• 📱 Gerlock's social media activity revealed he followed over 500 accounts related to taxidermy, skeleton collecting, and oddities.
• 🌐 He was also a member of a Facebook group titled "human bones and skull selling group," indicating an alleged online market for human remains.

Arrest and Evidence

• 🚨 Police observed Gerlock leaving a cemetery with a burlap sack, leading to his arrest with two small children's mummified remains, three skulls, and other bones.
• 🏠 A subsequent search warrant at his home in Lancaster County uncovered a vast collection of human skeletons and remains.
• ⚖️ Gerlock faces over 500 criminal counts, including burglary, abuse of a corpse, theft, and desecration of a venerated object.

Forensic and Environmental Concerns

• 🔬 Experts discuss the challenges of identifying the remains, some dating back centuries, and the potential use of forensic genetic genealogy.
• ⚠️ Concerns are raised about potential contamination from heavy metals used in embalming and the risks to neighbors and anyone exposed to the collected remains.
• 🕵️ The FBI and EPA are expected to investigate due to the interstate commerce implications and potential environmental hazards.