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Mar 10, 2008 5:59 pm US/Central
Collin Co. Cemetery Vandalized For Profit
COLLIN COUNTY (CBS 11 News) ―
Two cemeteries in Collin County are being targeted by thieves. Family members are discovering that the headstones of their loved ones are being vandalized for profit.
At least two cemeteries in Collin County, including the Highland Cemetery, have been turned into crime scenes. Someone is stealing the bronze faceplates from the headstones of the deceased.
Cemeteries are often thought of as sacred places to remember loved ones, a place to honor war heroes, and a place to reunite with the past. "I want these people to have their plaques back, and of course, it will never be the same," said Dana Miller, whose mother is buried at the Melissa Cemetery.
On that hallowed ground, a theft has desecrated what most of us hold as sacred. Highland Cemetery Association President Diane Miller says, "These people are just really stooping low, to steal from the dead."
Since March 1st a total of seven bronze faceplates have been pried away from headstones at the Melissa and Highland Cemeteries.
Another headstone at the Highland Cemetery could have been the eighth theft. While the thief pried at the faceplate, it was not removed. 'We found the handle of the screwdriver laying over here [Diane motions]."
Most of the stolen faceplates belonged to veterans who fought in wars.
Dana says although her mother is not a veteran she earned her headstone. "It hurts. It's like, why would somebody do something like this," Donna emotionally explained. "My mother, my mother paid for her little policy for years – probably $10 a month or something - to pay for their stones."
Collin County Sheriff's Deputies tell CBS 11 News they hope to have a break in the case as early as Tuesday.
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