Police are investigating after about 300 headstones were removed from a northwest Calgary cemetery.
The plaques disappeared sometime between August 18 and August 23. Police believe an unknown number of suspects visited Queen’s Park Cemetery at 3219 Fourth Street NW and took approximately 300 bronze plaques that memorialized deceased loved ones.
An undisclosed number of bronze flower vases were also stolen from the cemetery.
Cemetery staff were alerted to the missing plaques by family members and subsequently contacted the police.
“The theft of these plates will undoubtedly leave citizens feeling frustrated and upset,” said Staff Sgt. Colin Chisholm of the Calgary Police Service. “We are appealing for anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the plates or information about those responsible for the thefts to come forward.
We investigate after approx. 300 memorial plaques were stolen from Queen’s Park Cemetery. These thefts undoubtedly leave citizens feeling frustrated and upset, and we ask that anyone with information contact police at 403-266-1234. pic.twitter.com/sjp3o7bfDX
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) August 26, 2022
The theft is the latest in a series of incidents targeting plaques, including a Ukrainian memorial, war memorials in Currie and memorials from other locations in southern Alberta.
Chisholm says the situation in Calgary is very disappointing.
“How disrespectful it would be for someone to steal memorial plaques of people who have passed away,” he said.
He believes the price of scrap metal could be a possible motive for the incidents, but insists the thieves won’t get anything for their efforts.
“These plates are bronze,” he said. “They take these things to metal recycling facilities and get pennies on the dollar for what they’re really worth.”
“It’s not the value of the metal itself, it’s the work that goes into it, and it’s the personal value — the intangible value that’s really disappointing.”
There are leads that investigators are following up on, Chisholm said, but no details are available at this time.
Chisholm says police will work with scrap dealers across the city in case anyone tries to sell the items there.
“We’re trying to get ahead of the curve here.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Calgary police at 403-266-1234 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, online or through the P3 Tips app.
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