E.V. Scrap Metal Thieves Turn Attention to Robbing Graves

By John Leptich, The Tribune, Mesa, Ariz.

Jun. 20–Disappearing flower vases in cemeteries are the handiwork of thieves hoping to make a quick buck. While reports of copper wire theft are commonplace in the Valley, the macabre trend toward stealing metal flower vases from cemeteries has taken on a life of its own.

Rick Fifield, manager of Mesa City Cemetery, said visitors reported about 20 pot-metal headstone vases stolen in the last month. Fifield said he has seen a spike in such thefts during the last 18 months. The cemetery also serves families from Gilbert and Queen Creek.

“The police came out and told us they were finding them at metal places,” said Fifield, who oversees a cemetery with 40,000 grave sites.

“People are looking for money, you know what I mean? But, a cemetery? Not very good. I just tell people who report them to us that we have no control over that. It’s hard to watch who’s doing what,” he said.

Pot metal, also known as white metal or die-cast zinc, is a cast iron used especially in making pots.

Fifield said a 2 1/2-pound pot-metal vase sells for $45, along with $25 for an insert holding the vase. A hole is left after the vase is removed. Replac- ing stolen vases at Mesa City Cemetery is the responsibility of families.

Mesa police said they have no record of officers responding to calls at the cemetery or speaking with anyone there.

The stakes are higher in Scottsdale, according to Jim Welch, director of family services for Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery.

While thefts are fewer, stolen bronze vases weigh about 4 pounds and cost $495 apiece. The cemetery foots the bill for replacements.

“We had a theft in January,” Welch said. “They took two vases. We haven’t had any incidents since then.”

Welch said groundskeepers placed replacement vases the same day and families weren’t contacted.

“It’s very saddening that thieves are preying on cemeteries and grave sites,” Welch said. “I don’t know what to say that it’s come to this, to steal from cemeteries. We have to put an end to the problem. Police and scrap metal dealers are aware, and we’re getting cooperation from them.

“We are open to the public. We can’t really close our gates. A cemetery is known to be accessible to families. You don’t want to stymie that activity.”

Scottsdale police said the last report they received about headstone flower vases being taken from Green Acres was Aug. 6. At that time, about 21 of the circular bronze vases were reported missing.

Wink Webb, general manager of American Metals Co. in Mesa, said dealers pay 12 cents to 15 cents per pound for scrap metal, $1.50 to $2.50 per pound for copper and $1 to $2 per pound for bronze. He said his company, and most others in the Valley, won’t buy items appearing to be from cemeteries.

Al Coury, general manager of Mountain View Memorial Gardens in Mesa, said he has seen the trend stop, likely because thieves can’t easily dispose of their booty locally.

“I’m assuming they’re taking them to Mexico,” Coury said.

Detective John Hobbs of the Phoenix Police Metal Theft Unit said his city has a history of metal thefts from cemeteries, particularly the Greenwood Memory Lawn cemetery at 23rd Avenue and Van Buren Street, which he said is close to several scrap metal yards.

Hobbs said cemetery officials at Greenwood told him they weren’t reporting losses of about $30,000 per month. Greenwood general manager David Walker did not return calls seeking comment.

“We’re being hit so hard,” Hobbs said. “Things like this are likely going on the black market and to states where there aren’t laws about selling copper.”

Copper theft, especially wire, has surged in recent years as the metal’s price skyrocketed and recycling centers paid more for scrap metal.

Thefts were expected to drop last September, when a new law forced sellers to show identification to a recycler when selling more than $25 of metal.

The recycler has to mail a check, instead of paying on the spot.

This makes it easier to investigate thieves and was supposed to deter thefts by slowing payments.

Although the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has set up a hot line for tips for information leading to the conviction of anyone caught stealing copper, deputy Doug Matteson, a sheriff’s spokesman, said the office hasn’t gotten recent calls about flower vase thefts.

What’s next after flower vases? Renee Corbelli, manager of Paradise Memorial Gardens in Scottsdale, may have the answer.

“We don’t use vases,” she said. “But, I’ve had families tell me that people are stealing the solar lights they put on graves.”

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