Many of the plaques stolen from Westbank Cemetery have been recovered but some have been cut up.
(KATHY MICHAELS / iNFOnews.ca)
September 26, 2019 - 11:40 AM
KELOWNA - RCMP recovered most of the bronze plaques stolen from Westbank Cemetery earlier this month along with others stolen from a Kelowna graveyard.
Plaques stolen from a Lake Country graveyard are still missing.
“Due to the public outrage and callous nature of the thefts, West Kelowna RCMP received a number of helpful tips that eventually led officers to the recovery of the metal plaques,” an RCMP news release stated. “Police recovered most of the stolen plaques taken from West Kelowna and all reported plaques taken from the Kelowna cemetery. The stolen plaques from Lake Country have yet to be recovered.”
Some of the plaques recovered by RCMP yesterday, Sept. 25, were cut into small squares in an apparent attempt to disguise them since recyclers are not supposed by buy gravestone markers.
The plaques have been returned to their respective cities where affected family members can contact those cemeteries.
“Our investigation into these thefts continues and no arrests have been made at this time,” Const. Lesley Smith of Kelowna RCMP said in the news release. “RCMP have yet to identify any suspect(s) involved.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 250-762-3300 or they can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net.
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