Wave of cemetery thefts raises concern

Thieves are sneaking into cemeteries across Minnesota and stealing bronze stars, vases, and other items.

Investigators in Isanti County are asking for help finding 200 bronze star grave markers. The grave markers honor veterans and were recently stolen from three different cemeteries in the county.

One hundred bronze vases were stolen from gravestones in the Twin Cities. The vases later turned up in a Minneapolis park.

Law enforcement officials suspect thieves want to sell the metal for cash. Bronze contains copper, and the price of copper remains high, despite drops in recent months.

The wave of thefts is raising concern among some cemetery directors in the state. Chuck Hamsmith, business manager and secretary at Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, talked with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.