Anson County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of more than 150 bronze flower vases from graves at Anson Memorial Park.

Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen said that over the past month, thieves have struck three times. “It’s very frustrating for us to see this kind of heartless thievery,” he said. “It’s very sad for the families to have these vases removed from their loved one’s graves. These are the lowest class of thieves that steal from cemeteries and churches. I really can’t tell you how bad we want to get our hands on these individuals.”

The bronze vases, when purchased new, cost over $130 each. They may be melted down and sold as scrap to junk dealers for a few cents on the dollar. Allen said that there is also an international market where the bronze vases are actually ground into small pieces and shipped overseas, generally to China.

Sheriff Allen said that he had met with Harvey Leavitt and was told that the remaining vases were being removed by the Memorial Park staff until the situation settled down. “Mr. Leavitt said that he would be notifying the families of this and any future changes,” Allen said.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals involved in this crime. Call the Anson County Sheriff’s Office at 704-694-4188 if you have any information.