Police in South Surrey are being advised to step up patrols around local cemeteries, following a report bronze flower vases are being stolen from grave sites.
Cpl. Bert Paquet said Monday police are investigating the theft of 28 of the vases from Victory Memorial Garden, located at 14831 28 Ave.
The police report notes 17 were taken overnight Wednesday (Aug. 21), and another 11 were taken over the course of the two weeks prior.
A woman whose husband’s grave was among those targeted said she was told more were taken on Friday, bringing the total closer to 50.
The woman, who did not want to be identified, described the theft as “so sacrilegious… a very horrible, painful thing.”
Paquet agreed, stating the act “definitely crosses a moral line.”
“It’s just despicable behaviour,” he said. “I understand some criminals are desperate, but this is definitely an area we don’t like seeing crimes or theft happen.”
Any value in selling the vases for scrap “doesn’t exceed the sentimental value,” he added.
Paquet said police have no suspects, and have not fielded any reports of suspicious activity or individuals in the area. Officers investigating are also looking into whether other cemeteries have been targeted.
Anyone with information on the Victory Memorial thefts is asked to call police at 604-599-0502.
