Missing vases returned to Meridian cemetery
MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) – Investigators with the Secretary of State’s office and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department have located most of the flower vases that they say were stolen from a local cemetery.
Lauderdale County Chief Deputy Ward Calhoun tells local media the vases have been turned over to the caretaker at Meridian Memorial Park, where they were reported missing.
He says 55-year-old Robert Eugene Davis is accused of stealing more than 100 of the vases. Davis has been charged with grand larceny of merchandise in excess of $1,000.
Most vases are molded from a bronze alloy, which has a salvage value as scrap metal. Authorities believe Davis attempted to sell several of the vases at a Pennsylvania recycling business. The business declined to purchase the vases and alerted the Secretary of State’s office.
