Man's body found in basement after theft of casket from Detroit cemetery; 2 men arrested

DETROIT – Two men have been arrested on suspicion that they stole a body and casket from a Detroit cemetery.

Mortician's assistant Leon Jones of Swanson Funeral Home says 93-year-old Clarence Bright was to be buried Monday at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Police say the body was taken Monday morning.

Officers found the empty casket Tuesday in a white van parked at a gas station, and arrested a 48-year-old man and a 38-year-old man in the vehicle. Police didn't identify the arrested men.

Police later found Bright's body in the basement of an eastside home. A records search by The Associated Press shows a man living in the house is also called Bright.

Police are to present the case to prosecutors for charges.

Bright's funeral was held Saturday, but rain-soaked ground postponed his burial.