Cemetery gates, doors, targeted by Calif. metal thieves

(CBS) STOCKTON, Calif. - Metal thieves in central California have been stealing from a sacred spot - the grounds of the Stockton Rural Cemetery, which contains some graves more than a century old.

Iron gates and doors have been disappearing from the cemetery, presumably for resale by those perpetrating the heartless heists, CBS Sacramento reports.

Among the desecrated vaults is the mausoleum of Benjamin Holt, the inventor of Caterpillar tractors, whose name is on Stockton city streets and stadiums.

The gateway to the coffins of the Hyatt family of hotel fame is also now wide open.

"I went to a copper recycling center today to kinda thumb through and see if I see anything there," cemetery manager Ruben Sanchez said.

To prevent any further tampering with burial sites, Sanchez says he'll have security patrolling at night.

"When you come here and something's damaged, it goes deep, feelings run deep," said the grounds' office manager Debra Bobian. "You know who you are. You're hurting families."