Hundreds of bronze vases stolen from gravesites, Burnaby RCMP say

Someone is sneaking into cemeteries and making off with valuable bronze gravesite vases meant to contain flowers left there by loved ones — in a trend police are calling “disgusting.”

Burnaby RCMP is investigating the theft of several hundred vases that can cost upwards of $1,000 each, representing potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses, but much more than that.

“The monetary value, while high, pales in comparison to the sentimental value these items hold for grieving families,” said Cpl. Mike Kalanj of the Burnaby RCMP. “Stealing from a final resting place is a disgusting act that causes significant emotional distress to those already dealing with loss. We are committed to identifying those responsible.”

The thefts have occurred over the past several months from local cemeteries, though police didn’t identify which ones.

“Because these thefts are typically only discovered when loved ones visit the site, the exact number of stolen items is unknown,” said Kalanj.

Kalanj said that while these types of thefts happen from time to time, police in Burnaby have never dealt with a gravesite crime spree on this scale before.

“We know that both south Burnaby cemeteries have been hit, with at least 100 vases stolen from each of them,” he said in response to questions from Postmedia News.

“We haven’t seen a series this big before,” said Kalanj. “Our initial investigation leads us to believe the bulk of these thefts have occurred over the past few months. Unfortunately, as people visit their loved ones, the number of victims will only grow.”

Kalanj said the RCMP strike force unit, which handles property crime and robbery in Burnaby, is leading the investigation and is checking with police partners in neighbouring jurisdictions.

“At this point of the investigation I don’t know if this is happening elsewhere, but I’d definitely assume it is,” Kalanj said.

Police in Vancouver said a similar rash of cemetery thefts hasn’t been reported in that city.

What thieves might do with the vases is another open question, said Kalanj.

“It’s really tough to say for sure where a thief might dispose of these items,” he said. “They would have to be somewhat knowledgeable to melt down a large number of vases and then explain how they acquired the metal to a reputable dealer.”

He said metal thieves sometimes ship their loot overseas, but Kalanj doubts that’s the case here with the relatively low value for bronze.

Cemeteries can be a common target for metal thieves, since items such as bronze vases, headstone fixtures and plaques can be melted down and sold for cash at scrap yards.

B.C.’s Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act requires that scrap yards that buy recycled metals must be registered with the province. Those looking to sell metal are also required to show government-issued identification to the dealer to prove they own the metal being sold.