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Man wanted after 160 brass plaques stolen from cemetery

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 21:38 · Archive

Up to 160 brass plaques have been stolen from Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery in Melbourne between October 1 and 10.

Jacob Rapana, 32, is wanted on warrants for allegedly stealing up to 160 brass plaques from Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery in Melbourne's southeast. The cemetery, on Charman Road, is believed to have been targeted between October 1 and October 10. Police released a photograph of Rapana on Friday in hopes of locating him. He is described as being of Pacific Islander and Maori appearance, about 165 centimetres tall with long black hair, a skinny build and a single brown eye. Investigators said it is possible he is sleeping rough.

Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery announced the thefts on social media on October 15, saying that memorial plaques had been removed or damaged. The 150-year-old cemetery described the discovery as potentially upsetting for families with loved ones memorialised there and urged members of the public who may have been affected to register their details. The cemetery said it had notified police and was supporting the investigation, with teams carrying out inspections across the grounds and contacting affected families where possible.

Anyone with information about Rapana's whereabouts is urged to come forward to police.

Man wanted after 160 brass plaques stolen from cemetery
Image: The West Australian

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In this story: Jacob Rapana · Cheltenham Pioneer Cemetery · Melbourne

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