A.P.
Can you try sitting next to him, rubbing his back through the slats of the crib, singing, etc.....basically doing anything other than taking him out of his crib. We did something like this with my daughter at about this age or a little older. Granted, there was still some crying, but I was right there with her and eventually she did get the message that it was time for sleeping in her crib and that I wasn't going to take her out. Sometimes at first she would wake up again an hour or so later, and again I would go in and rub her back or tummy but not pick her up. I just kept repeating "it's night-night time"...that's all I would say. She's now just about two and has been an awesome sleeper for over a year (goes to sleep alone happily, never gets up, likes her crib, etc.). Maybe this is worth a shot? Good luck!