Pawling Man Accused Of Stealing From Carmel Cemetery

PAWLING, NY — A Pawling man is under arrest for allegedly stealing from a cemetery. State Police said Robert L. Bauer, 47, of Pawling, was charged with second-degree grand larceny, second-degree forgery and first-degree falsifying business records, all felonies. Troopers were contacted by the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office in January 2017 regarding a sizable loss of money and supplies from the Raymond Hill Cemetery in the Town of Carmel.

Partnered with the Putnam DA’s office, the State Police began an investigation into the allegations that found Bauer, a former employee at the Raymond Hill Cemetery, stole more than $250,000 in money and equipment from the cemetery.

Bauer allegedly submitted inflated invoices from actual companies to reflect a purchase made for the cemetery.

Police said the altered invoices benefitted Bauer financially.

A forensic audit conducted by the State Police Financial Crimes unit reveals that the theft occurred between 2007 and 2015.

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Bauer was sent to the Putnam County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail or $500,000 bond.

He is due to appear in the Town of Carmel Court July 11.

Police said the joint investigation is ongoing and additional charges against Bauer are likely.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Investigator Michael O’Flaherty at SP Brewster by calling 845-677-7300.

Image via Shutterstock.