A Blossvale man has been arrested after a multi-month investigation into stolen cemetery plaques throughout Oneida County.
The New York State Police arrested 40-year-old David Relyea Jr., and charged him with a Class-D Felony.
Investigators say they reviewed salvage records, conducted interviews, and pursued numerous investigative leads that identified Relyea as a suspect.
State Police say records obtained from SIMS Metal Management in Rome showed Relyea completed dozens of brass transactions between December 2025 and June 2026, selling approximately 1,470 pounds of brass. Investigators determined the brass sold included stolen cemetery plaques and memorial markers removed from cemeteries throughout Oneida County.
As a result of the investigation, Relyea was arrested and charged on August 6, 2026, for:
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (Class D felony)
Relyea was transported to the Oneida County Centralized Arraignment Part (CAP) for arraignment and released on his own recognizance.
Police became aware of the stolen markers back in April when investigators were called to the Verona Cemetery. During the investigation, it was determined two bronze veteran plaques were forcibly removed and stolen from headstones within the cemetery. The plaques, which honor military service, were considered both historically and sentimentally significant.