Former S.C. Chief's Car Stolen at Funeral Home

GREENVILLE, S.C. --

Greenville police said they arrested a man who stole a purse out of a funeral home, then stole a car belonging to a former police chief before crashing into a light pole.

Lucien Howard Cato, 47, was arrested on Saturday at about 6 p.m. moments after he crashed a green Toyota Camry on North Academy Street near Townes Street.

The thefts happened during the visitation of former Police Chief Mike Bridges, who died last week.

A police officer assigned to security detail at the visitation said he watched Cato drive the car out of the parking lot of the Thomas McAffee Funeral Home on North Main Street, according to a police incident report. The officer thought Cato was acting suspicious and driving erratic, so he followed the vehicle. A short time later, the car crashed into the light pole.

After the crash, police confirmed that a purse belonging to the wife of former Greenville Police Chief Harold Jennings was stolen from the funeral home. The keys to the Camry were inside the stolen purse, the report said.

Cato was injured in the wreck and taken to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he was treated.

After his release, Cato was charged with third-degree burglary, grand larceny and with driving under the influence.

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