Thieves Steal Dozens of Grave Vases at Fresno Cemetery as Memorial Day Nears

4 articles · Updated · KFSN-TV · May 13

Dozens of flower vases were stolen from gravesites at Fresno Memorial Gardens over the weekend, including plots in the Garden of Valor, leaving families distressed as they visited loved ones.
Bronze and brass vases are being targeted because rising metal prices let thieves resell them quickly for scrap, cemetery officials and families said.
Memorial Day preparations heightened the impact: crews were placing American flags across the cemetery when visitors found bare headstones and missing tributes.
Fresno Memorial Gardens said it is working with local law enforcement and urged families who discover missing property to contact the cemetery directly.
Similar thefts have hit other cemeteries, including Ararat Armenian Cemetery, which has added lighting, night patrols and cameras as some families switch to plastic vases.

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