The World - News from July 3, 1987

Grave robbers cut off the hands of former Argentine President Juan D. Peron after sneaking into his tomb last weekend and opening his casket, an investigating judge said. Officials said the robbers are demanding $8 million for the return of the bones and other relics belonging to the Argentine leader, who died early in his third presidential term in 1974 at the age of 78. Items taken during the macabre heist at Chacarita Cemetery in Buenos Aires included a letter from Peron’s third wife, former President Maria Estela (Isabel) Peron, the Argentine flag that draped his coffin, the uniform cap he wore at presidential ceremonies and his sword, the judge said.