2 Held in Theft of Head, Ashes From Cemetery

The partially decomposed head of a woman, stolen from a crypt at Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery early Wednesday, was found in the street next to a man who was subsequently arrested, Los Angeles police said.

Eric Craig, 20, was arrested after patrol officers saw him crouching next to a car at about 3:45 a.m. and stopped to question him, police said. The officers discovered the head under the car and found a copper box containing the cremated remains of another person on a nearby wall.

An alleged accomplice, Ronald Matzick, 21, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and “admitted doing it,” Detective William Fulton said.

Investigators said the suspects’ motives were unclear. Several entertainment celebrities are interred at the cemetery, but the remains that were disturbed were not recognized as such.

“It appeared to be a random hit,” Fulton said. The names of the deceased were not released.

Police say the suspects apparently used a large stone to break through the marble seal on the wall crypt.

Craig and Matzick, booked for investigation of desecrating human remains, were being held at the Hollywood Division Station in lieu of $5,000 bail.