WESTBROOK–State Police have made an arrest after nearly 50 headstones were desecrated at the Old Burying Ground Cemetery in Westbrook.
Overnight between October 30 and 31, there were 46 graves that were disturbed at the cemetery on Old Clinton Road. Some were broken in half, while others were knocked over.
Repairs on the historic stones, some of which date back to before the Revolutionary War, were expected to cost between $20,000 and $50,000.
On Tuesday, police arrested Kyle Blye, 24, and charged him with criminal mischief in the first degree, conspiracy to commit criminal mischief in the first degree, interfering with a cemetery or burial grounds and delivery of alcohol to a minor. He was held on a $7,500 bond.
A 17-year-old suspect was arrested as well in the case.
On Monday a woman called to report that she believed Blye and the teen were responsible for the damage.
When police approached Blye at his home, he admitted to the crime, despite officers telling him that he was not under arrest and did not need to tell them anything, and that anything he said could be used against him. He provided a written statement, which said, in part:
Me and a friend of mine named [juvenile suspect] walked into the cemetery located across the street from Vista (Vocational Center) on Old Clinton Road and knocked over several tombstones in the cemetery. We were both a little drunk when we did it and we didn’t mean to upset anybody or cause any problems and we are sorry we did it.
Police then went to the juvenile’s home, who said he was hanging out at a friend’s house with Kyle and drinking–he said Kyle bought the alcohol since he was older than 21–and then the two of them left to walk home. The juvenile said that he did follow Kyle and damage the tombstones, but just a few, and that most of the damage was done by Kyle.
Here is part of his written statement:
This happened on the night before Halloween which is called, “Mischief Night” and I guess that’s why I followed Kyle into the cemetery to kick over tombstones and also because I was intoxicated. I did not mean to upset anyone by my actions and am sorry for what I did.
