Jun 20, 2008 5:09 pm US/Central
Cops: Trio Stole From Graves To Support Drug Habit
Three Netted $500,000 By Stealing Metal From Cemeteries
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Authorities have busted a band of heroin addicts who police say were stealing metal from grave sites--including the medallions from veterans' headstones-to support their drug habit.
Three people have been charged with stealing the metal from nine area cemeteries. Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart said the trio netted $500,000 by selling the medallions, brass angels and even vases that held flowers for scrap metal. Police said the offenders stole items made with ''Red Brass #3''--also know as cemetery brass. The metal is especially valuable because it is extremely durable and able to withstand the elements without tarnishing much. The vandals then sold it all to scrap, to support their heroin habits.
David Gurneau, 22, of Bensenville; Alexander Soliveras, 27, of Chicago; and Eric Huffman of Glenview all face theft charges, Dart said.
"These arrests put an end to heartbreaking vandalism incidents that have left families across Cook County feeling shattered and violated,'' Dart said.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports that the vandals pried brass letters right from headstones and pulled solid brass vases directly from holders.
"To see this, so horribly unsettling, you just can't think of the kind of person that would stoop to this level, to do these things," Dart said. "It's just amazing."
In six months, they victimized nearly 1,500 graves--in Chicago, Justice, Forest Park, Skokie, Evergreen Park, Norwood Park Twp. and River Grove. Police said the trio were able to sell the brass for $2-$3 a pound. Dart said the sheriff's office is also investigating whether recycling centers were involved in the scheme.
"They were also stealing medallions," Dart said. "Medallions such as this are put on the graves of our veterans."
A father whose daughter died at the hands of a drunk driver said his family has been victimized all over again because the vase that costs about $900 at Brooke Arnold's final resting place was among those taken.
"My wife went berserk," said Robert Arnold, victim's father. "She was just crying hysterically."
Raed Elusta has several family members buried at Evergreen Cemetery. More than 1,000 graves were damaged there alone. Elusta says the scrapyards share part of the blame for allowing the desecration to continue.
"They should call the police and report it in, not just to take it just for the money," Elusta said. "They know if there's a cross or some sort of emblem."
In one case, the Cook County Sheriff says the vandals chopped up a brass statue of the Virgin Mary -- just to sell it. He says the involvement of the scrapyards remains under investigation.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Tattooed Ladies of Hollywood
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments