More Cemetery Vandalism

Police in Indian River and St. Lucie counties in Florida said gravesites have been targeted by thieves looking for bronze.

Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach said thieves made off with at least a dozen bronze vases and seven bronze placards that were pried loose from gravestones. Authorities said they’re increasing surveillance of cemeteries in response. Police said the vases and placards cost more than $300 apiece, but local scrap yards only pay $1 a pound for bronze.

Palm Beach County authorities are also investigating several thefts from graveyards across the county, including the taking of about 300 brass vases from Boynton Memorial Cemetery in Boynton Beach and 500 flower urns taken from Memorial Gardens cemetery in Lake Worth. Both cemeteries were hit within the last five weeks, authorities said. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said the urns weigh approximately 15 to 22 pounds each and that the thieves probably stole them to sell for scrap.