175 bronze flower vases stolen from graves at Surrey cemetery

May 20 2017, 8:18 am

How low can someone go? Thieves have stolen 175 bronze vases from a cemetery in Surrey’s Newton area with the likely intention to earn scrap metal cash, according to the RCMP.

Police were first notified on April 26 when a mother visiting her son’s grave at Arbor Memorial – Valley View Funeral Home and Cemetery noticed the vase had been stolen.

Cemetery staff reached out to police to inform them that many grave vases from the cemetery had been stolen. Such vases are affixed to a grave stone and can cost thousands of dollars per installation.

“We are extremely upset about this incident and are working closely with the Surrey RCMP to assist them in any way we can,” says Justin Schultz, Funeral Home Manager at Valley View Funeral Home & Cemetery, in a statement.

“We hope that the person responsible for the reprehensible act does the right thing and returns these cherished family items. Valley View has implemented several measures to increase safety for family and friends visiting our grounds.”

Several units of the Surrey RCMP are now investigating the thefts and looking for potential suspects. As well, police are asking the pubic to keep an eye out for metallic bronze coloured vases that may be sold for their metal value.

“It’s hard to imagine someone stooping this low for personal gain,” said Surrey RCMP Corporal Scotty Schumann in a statement. “If you see any of these bronze vases or know someone that has a large quantity of them, police would like to hear from you as soon as possible.”

Anyone with more information on the theft is asked to contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers’ anonymous hotline at 1-800-222-8477.

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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