ALLOUEZ, Wis. (AP) – A grounds worker at a Green Bay area cemetery is accused of stealing a $2,000 guitar from the casket of a man who died recently.

Brown County sheriff’s investigators say the worker was accused of stealing the Fender Telecaster from the mausoleum at Allouez Catholic Cemetery. His employer, the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, says the grounds superintendent is on unpaid leave pending the result of the criminal investigation.

Authorities say another cemetery employee became suspicious after he overheard the suspect talking about the guitar and how much he admired it. The suspicious employee went to the diocese, the crypt and casket were opened and the guitar was found to be missing.

WLUK-TV says the accused employee is expected in Brown County Circuit Court Monday afternoon.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)