Stolen cemetery vases returned to Nebraska families after year

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 16:24 · Archive

Police in Nebraska have returned 843 vases stolen from cemeteries and sold to a scrap yard, after nine defendants pleaded guilty.

Police in Council Bluffs, Nebraska recovered 843 vases that had been stolen from grave markers at three cemeteries in the Omaha metro area. A group of thieves had taken the bronze and brass vases to a scrap yard. Detectives estimated the stolen vases were worth a total of £200,000.

Nine defendants pleaded guilty after the county attorney presented evidence. The vases are now being released to families after more than a year. A total of 115 relatives filed police reports about the thefts.

Families are now searching through the recovered vases to identify theirs. Police detective Clayton Juhl told relatives that 'the chance of you finding the exact one is going to be very minimal'. He advised that if relatives find a vase that does not fit exactly right, they can work with the cemetery. Some families brought photographs of their vases to help with identification.

How it is being reported

• Stolen Omaha, Council Bluffs cemetery vases returned to relatives after yearlong waitIt’s been an emotional day of searching for victims of a deplorable theft. Vases stolen from three metro area cemeteries are finally being released and relatives could pick them up.1011Now · 8 Oct, 04:22
• Stolen Omaha, Council Bluffs cemetery vases returned to relatives after yearlong waitIt’s been an emotional day of searching for victims of a deplorable theft. Vases stolen from three metro area cemeteries are finally being released and relatives could pick them up.WOWT · 8 Oct, 04:22

In this story: Council Bluffs · Omaha · Nebraska · Kathy Manley · Vicky Coffman · Clayton Juhl

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem