Hundreds of bronze gravesite vases have been stolen from two cemeteries in Burnaby, B.C., over the past several months, a crime police say has caused significant distress for grieving families.
Burnaby RCMP has set up a dedicated phone line and email address for tips as they investigate the thefts of an estimated 200 bronze vases, meant to hold flowers at gravesites.
“Unfortunately, as people visit their loved ones, the number of victims will only grow,” Cpl. Mike Kalanj told CTV News on Wednesday.
He noted that the timing is particularly upsetting with Remembrance Day approaching, as families visiting veterans’ graves may discover more thefts.
Burnaby RCMP says that while it has seen this type of theft before, it has never seen it on this scale.
One of the cemeteries where thefts have been reported is Dignity Memorial, where Danny Ferreira works as the superintendent.
“It’s just crazy the amount of vases that are being taken right now,” he told CTV News. “I’ve always felt that cemeteries or churches are places you don’t mess with, per se. It’s just appalling—I don’t have words for it.”
Ferreira says he reached out to police after multiple areas of Dignity Memorial were ransacked and has since alerted recycling plants across the Lower Mainland to be on the lookout for bronze vases.
When melted down, Kalanj says the bronze in each vase may be worth only $2 to $4 as scrap metal, while a vase can cost more than $1,000 to purchase and install at a gravesite.
The victims aren’t worried about the money, according to Kalanj.
“They’re more shocked and disgusted that these people would just rob their loved one’s grave” he said. “This isn’t supposed to happen.”
Burnaby RCMP’s Strike Force Unit has taken over the investigation and is coordinating with neighbouring police agencies.
“If I were a betting man, I’d say this is happening all over the Lower Mainland,” Kalanj said.
Anyone who sees one is asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9911 or email E_Burnaby_CemeteryTheft_Tips@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
