Thieves steal 40 bronze vases from a cemetery near Woodstock
The memorial vases are valued collectively at around $10,000
Oxford County OPP are investigating the theft of about 40 bronze flower vases from a graveyard on the outskirts of Woodstock last weekend.
Police say the vases were stolen from Oxford Memorial Park Cemetery sometime between 4:30 p.m. on June 29 and 9 a.m. on June 30.
"These bronze vases would have an estimated value of about $250 a piece. The value of all of them is around $10,000 …They're a significant, heavy vase and would be a permanent fixture at the grave sites," said OPP spokesperson Const. Stacey Culbert.
She said the thieves probably planned to sell the vases to a scrap metal dealer for quick cash.
The president of cemetery, Richard Lee, said the vases were individually owned by families of the deceased buried there.
He said some of the families affected are "greatly distressed and a little disappointed that somebody would take something so precious to them."
Lee added: "There's no great reason for vandalism or theft of any kind, but this is by far some of the lowest" form of behaviour when it happens in a cemetery.
Limited scrap value
He agrees that the thieves were likely looking to sell the vases by going to a scrap dealer. But he doubts they would get much money for them by going that route. He estimates they'd be worth $5 or $6 each.
"My guess is they were younger individuals that have never faced a loss in their life and [probably couldn't] appreciate the value of having a vase available at the grave to place flowers for a loved one."
He said pure bronze vases cost as much as $450 to replace. The cemetery is trying to source less expensive tin-composite alternatives for around $100.
New video surveillance system.
Lee said they have not experienced vandalism of this nature at Oxford Park Memorial before, but they'll be ready for any future incursions.
"We installed three sets of security cameras on three different feeds … and we've got about eight cameras up now," said Lee. He said the cameras include night-vision capability.
In the meantime, the search for suspects continues. The OPP say they would like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in or near the cemetery last weekend.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oxford County OPP at 1-800-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.