‘Radioactive’ grave leads to arrest

A 77-year-old Winder man was arrested Monday after telling cemetery workers he’d placed radioactive material at a loved one’s grave site.

Barrow Memorial Gardens is not radioactive, officials say.

Thomas Donald Finch was allegedly upset that flowers he’d placed at a the grave were missing, according to a press release from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.

In the presence of several cemetery workers, Finch said he’d released a hazardous substance at Barrow Memorial Gardens to harm future thieves. Employees became concerned when Finch held up a pill bottle and said anyone that got near the grave would need the medicine.

Atlanta Highway was shut down for two hours while Barrow emergency services workers and Gwinnett hazardous material technicians inspected the area. Several side streets were closed for a shorter period.

No substances were found that posed a threat to the public.

Finch is charged with making terroristic threats.