Funeral home van towed with body inside

NEW YORK (AP) - A police tow truck removed a minivan parked outside a New York City funeral home, giving its dearly departed passenger an unexpected side trip.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne says there was "nothing to indicate it was more than just an illegally parked car."

Redden's Funeral Home director Paul DeNigris said a windshield placard had fallen flat. The van's tinted windows helped obscure the white cardboard box that held the remains.

DeNigris says he was "a wreck" after discovering the van missing Monday in Manhattan. He rushed to the tow pound, where he discreetly explained the circumstances and got the van back. He also got body to an airport in time for a scheduled flight to Miami.

He plans to fight the $115 parking ticket.

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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com