Yeadon officials praise police after arrest in Mount Moriah cemetery desecration case

Yeadon officials applauded a multi‑agency arrest tied to extensive desecration and thefts at Mount Moriah Cemetery, saying local police helped identify and apprehend a suspect wanted in multiple counties.

Mayor Hepkins told council that the borough "sprung into action" with the district attorney's criminal investigative division and other agencies and that officers located a suspect in early morning raids Jan. 7. The mayor said investigators recovered material during searches that led to charges; the suspect was booked at George Hill Correctional Facility on $1,000,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in about a month.

Police Chief Henry Giamarco and Detective Leah Ciesznick were singled out in remarks from both the mayor and council members. "I could not be more proud of our Yeadon Police Department," the mayor said, crediting local detectives and CID for coordinating the investigation and a subsequent press conference at the Delaware County District Attorney's office.

Chief Giamarco, speaking later in the public safety report, described the case as "horrific" and noted the department's work began in November. He also asked the council to approve several parking ordinance amendments intended to improve public safety and traffic flow; councilors approved the ordinance changes and the department's request for overnight special‑purpose parking zones.

What happens next: the suspect remains in custody pending formal charges and a preliminary hearing; the police department will continue to work with the DA's office and has an accreditation review Jan. 22 that officials said could improve access to grants and insurance benefits.