Two teenagers allegedly stole the skeleton of a Broadway actor, and took it to a party dressed as Darth Vader.

Michael Herz, 18, and Michael Sossi, 17, from New York, are accused of taking the skeleton of Elmer Grandin, who died in 1938, and two other skulls interred in a Long Island crypt.

Police claim the teenagers fitted the skeleton with a costume of the Star Wars villain, then took it to a schoolfriend's party.

Detective Brian McMenemy said: "Herz dressed up the full body with glasses, and then they put a Darth Vader mask on him."

Grandin, who was born on 1861, appeared in several Broadway shows and silent movies.

The teenagers were arrested in December following the alleged prank in November.

Police said they launched an investigation after teachers overheard the boys bragging about the incident.

Herz and Sossi are charged with cemetery desecration, body stealing and opening a grave.

A third man, Patrick O'Rourke, 19, is charged with receiving a stolen body. All three deny the charges and have been released on bail.

The bones, which were found dumped in a ditch, have since been reinterred at the Cedar Grove Cemetery.