So-called obituary burglar pleads innocent

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) — A man accused of using death notices to target burglary victims has pleaded not guilty to charges in Sheboygan County.

Dennis Petrie entered the pleas to 40 counts of burglarizing homes of the recently deceased. Ten additional counts were dismissed because of the statute of limitations or lack of evidence.

Petrie is also accused of burglarizing homes belonging to former co-workers and people on extended vacations.

The Sheboygan Press reports Petrie had amassed such a large amount of stolen goods that it took five van loads, two pickup trucks and two U-Haul trucks to haul it all away.