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Someone Is Stealing Bronze Headstones At Downey Cemetery
Photo by Eddy Van 3000 via Flickr
A $10,000 reward was offered Tuesday by the the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for five bronze headstones that were stolen from Downey Cemetery. Police believe the items may have been taken to recycle for cash, reports the Daily Breeze.
The headstones and numerous military plaques were taken about 7:30 a.m. March 30 from the cemetery, 9073 Gardendale St., said Sgt. Brian Baker, a spokesman for the Downey Police Department. Two men, both Caucasian or Latinos, were seen leaving the area in a black, "lifted" Chevy Silverado truck, with a black camper shell.
The suspects, both wearing white shirts and gray shorts, are described as 6 feet 3 inches tall and 300pounds and 5 feet 8inches tall and 250 pounds. Recycling facilities in the area have been asked to call police if they encounter the stolen items.
Downey Cemetery can trace its burial ground roots to 1868 and "is the final resting place for more than 9,000 people, including pioneers of the region, local historical figures and veterans from the Civil War to the Gulf War," notes the Daily Breeze.
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According to officials, bronze backflow valves from two other Downey cemeteries, and a bronze nameplate from Sunnyside Cemetery in Long Beach (the only cemetery in SoCal with a dedicated Civil War veterans section) have also been stolen.
TIP INFO: Anyone with information regarding the Downey theft should contact Detectives Jerry Price at 562-904-2359, or Detective Mark Galindo at 562-904-2326. To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers, 800-222-8477 or text TIPLA plus the tip to 274637 or use http://lacrimestoppers.org. For the Long Beach thefts, contact the police department's burglary division, 562-570-7351. Anyone wanting to remain anonymous can text a tip to 274637 and type LBPD in the body of the message, followed by the tip, or go to www.tipsubmit.com.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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