PARKERSBURG - 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.
