More than a dozen headstones stolen from cemetery in Compton
Authorities are investigating the theft of several headstones from a cemetery in Compton.
According to the Compton Sheriff's Department, deputies responded Friday night to reports that multiple headstones had been stolen from Woodlawn Celestial Gardens, one of Los Angeles County's oldest cemeteries. More than 26,000 people are buried on the grounds, including nearly a thousand U.S. veterans dating back to the Civil War.
By Saturday morning, investigators said they had recovered a tool believed to have been used in the crime.
As LASD detectives continue to look into the theft, family members are distraught to learn that their loved ones' final resting places have been disturbed over and over again.
"We come here, and there's no headstone. Gone, " said Gina Gianatti. "It's been there for 50-something years."
Read more: LA County officials offer $20k reward for information on cemetery vandalism
Her mother's headstone was one of the 18 stolen, which the owner of the cemetery believes is due to the precious metals that were used to create the marker.
"I can't put a value on what this type of metal might cost. I know that them coming over and them doing this to everyone or anyone that is buried at Woodlawn is very heartbreaking," said Celestine Bishop, who owns the cemetery.
She said that dozens more grave markers were also vandalized, and replacement can cost up to $4,000 each.
This isn't the first time that thieves have targeted the cemetery. Nearly two years ago, thieves hit both Woodlawn and other cemeteries in the South Los Angeles region, taking off with hundreds of headstones and vandalizing dozens of others.
Family members, who previously had to band together to try and protect their loved ones when the first rash of crimes began, are outraged once again.
"Would you want somebody doing this to your family? Would you want someone taking your mother's grave, grandmother's grave or your child's headstone? Would you want that?" asked Jerlene Tatum, who has family buried at the cemetery.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies ask anyone with further information to contact the Compton Sheriff's Station.
