ALABASTER, Ala. ( WBRC /Gray News) – A man is in custody after police in Alabama say he broke into homes of people who recently died, marking his second arrest for the same type of crime in three months.

Peter Michael Petitti was arrested Sunday during a traffic stop and booked into the Shelby County Jail on burglary charges, according to Alabaster police.

Police described this crime as “heinous.” They say Petitti searched Facebook and online obituaries to identify homes to steal from after the residents died.

The most recent incident occurred in the Park Forest neighborhood, where officers say Petitti stole from a home after the resident passed away.

“It’s sad. It’s awful. It’s despicable. This is potentially the family’s worst time,” said Detective Andrew Rowan with the Alabaster P

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