Grave thefts suspects arrested
By ROGER ADKINSPARKERSBURG - Two people have been arrested in connection with two separate rashes of thievery at local cemeteries.
A Parkersburg woman was arraigned Tuesday in Wood County Magistrate Court on two felony charges related to the recent theft of brass vases and items from two area cemeteries. Those thefts occurred last week at various cemeteries.
According to court records, Amanda "Mandy" Dianne Davis, 22, of 4114 Camden Ave., Parkersburg, was arraigned by Magistrate Donna Jackson on one count each of grand larceny and conspiracy to commit grand larceny.
Davis was being held on $10,000 bond.
According to the criminal complaint filed in magistrate court, earlier this month Davis and two others allegedly stole brass and metal flower vases from Sunset Memory Gardens and Evergreen Cemetery. The individuals allegedly sold the vases at scrap yards in Athens County for cash. The value of the vases was over $1,000, making the charges felonies.
The two other individuals named in the complaint against Davis were Stephanie Broadwater and Thomas Davis, Amanda Davis' husband, said Chief T.R. Smith, Wood County Sheriff's Department. Arrest warrants have been issued.
Smith said a man was arrested Friday in connection with another rash of thefts at local cemeteries that occurred in June. Robert Leist, age and address unavailable, was charged with grand larceny and conspiracy, Smith said. He was released on bond.
Smith said it is unknown if the two cases are related, but the investigation is continuing and the possibility of a connection has not been ruled out.
Parkersburg police Chief Gerald Board said the recent arrests are the result of cooperation between agencies.
"The joint investigation began when we started receiving reports of thefts from cemeteries inside and outside the city. Through the cooperation of both agencies and the exchange of information, the case is being solved and individuals are being identified. We expect to make additional arrests," Board said. "I would just like to commend Sheriff Ken Merritt and the officers from both of our agencies on this case."
Staff writer Wayne Towner contributed to this report.
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OldHoss
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08-21-08 11:40 PM
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There is a word for these people. I haven't seen it used for a while.....Ghouls.
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jess3015
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08-21-08 10:26 AM
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My mother-in-law and grandfather had vases stolen from their graves. I was very disturbed when I heard the news and wondered who in the world who steal from the dead. I'm really glad they have caught the folks who did it. At least they won't be able to steal from our deceased relatives while in jail. It's amazing to me how the funeral industry charges so much for such vases and yet they are only worth less than twenty dollars, but that's another issue.
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telefonica
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08-21-08 12:36 AM
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Espero a los que han tenido su no justicia robada las bendiciones de la búsqueda pero los perdono solamente. Como seres humanos, podemos recordar a gente más dentro de nosotros mismos y de todas las alegrías que nos trajeron. Ningunas flores o floreros substituirán nunca memorias.
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twoshy
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08-20-08 11:21 PM
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I am so angry about this I can't see straight. I just cannot understand how someone, whether it be a younger person or and adult, could take something from the dead..unreal. We have a major problem in this area with punks like these, yet even when caught they only get a slap on the wrist and set free..to go and do something else. when is it going to stop? when we as a community stop allowing it to happen. to*****with jail..they are stealing for drugs so slam them in long term treatment and get to the solution. and to all who have lost a loved one and have now had their resting place disturbed you have my sympathies..God Bless
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notamyname
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08-20-08 9:00 PM
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I think i read where there was a new guy on receiving when the vases came in that day, so procedures wasn`t followed,but yes if the scrap yards are taking items that are questionable, they should be fined...
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vortex
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08-20-08 8:58 PM
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I’m told that these Scumbags got about $8.00 out of each stolen vase. If you have to replace one, as a friend of mine will have to, the Cemetery will charge you nearly $200.00 for it. I believe they use to hang Grave Robbers. I wish we still could, but we can’t. May these Scumbag S O B’s rot in hell!
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swmcox
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08-20-08 2:22 PM
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Why do we never read about buyers (junkies) being prosecuted. I think if some of them spent some time they would be more cautious with their buying. These would make it harder for the thieves to unload the brass & wire they steal.
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teaglass97
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08-20-08 1:53 PM
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I believe some "scrapyards" have been fined for receiving stolen property. These "scrapyards" have also but security measures in place to determine whether the material has been stolen or is legit.
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halfhill
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08-20-08 8:41 AM
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I doubt that the cemetery thieves have a good work ethic and probably couldn't be trusted, but they might be sentenced to clean all of the deserted cemeteries in the County.
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notamyname
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08-20-08 6:31 AM
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I hope an example will be made of theses people, i would like to see them locked in a room with all the relatives of the graves they robbed.
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FiscalIntegrity
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08-20-08 5:28 AM
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They should be roasted in Hell, robbing from the dead. I hope they tell us how to recover some equity if not the property. My aunt and grandmother both had their graves robbed. How could a dealer buy vases he had to have known were from graves? Disgraceful!
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