2nd Arrest Made for Cemetery Thefts

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WTAP News
Posted: 10:10 PM Aug 19, 2008
Last Updated: 10:31 AM Aug 20, 2008
Reporter: Lauren Keeling
Email Address: lauren.keeling@wtap.com

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A second arrest was made Tuesday in connection with the thefts of more than 100 vases from several Parkersburg cemeteries.

The Parkersburg Police Department in partnership with the Wood County Sheriff's Department arrested 22-year-old Amanda Davis of Parkersburg for allegedly stealing vases from local cemeteries and taking them to Ohio to sell.

Davis is being charged with grand larceny and conspiracy to commit grand larceny. Both are felony charges.

Robert Leist, of Walker, was arrested last week in relation to the cemetery theft case and is facing charges of transferring stolen property.

"As far as I'm concerned its one of the most heinous crimes, non-violent crimes that's out there, somebody messing with the dead," says Wood Co. Sheriff Ken Merritt.

"There's other people involved, and its an ongoing investigation, and I believe there may have been a warrant signed on another individual involved in this already," says Parkersburg Police Chief Gerald Board.

Davis was arrested Tuesday on Elder Street and is currently being held at the Wood County Holding Center.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: peggy Location: ohio on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:29 PM
just went to the cemetary where my husband is buried and found there has been some stealing going on there also , will work hard to help the authorites find these worthless people, maybe putting these people to work mowing , filling in the graves when they sink , removing dead flower's and just regular upkeep all year long ,from hot summer till cold winter , guess we can't do that as it would enfring on their right's , what right's do the dead have ?

Posted by: Elaine Location: Parkersburg on Aug 20, 2008 at 07:48 PM
They should have to pay what it costs the cemeteries to replace the vases. It will cost one of them over $16,000 to replace them. I agree with the comment that they should be made to replace every one of them with supervision.

Posted by: Kim Location: parkersburg on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:58 PM
yes, lovely piece of work we have here and now taxpayers are going to be paying for her to be in jail and feeding her. A no win situation with this trouble maker

Posted by: dan Location: belpre on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I hope these people get to read some of these comments, just so they know what good citizens really think of them ....low life is just the beginning.

Posted by: anon Location: parkersburg on Aug 20, 2008 at 11:04 AM
I hope part of their punishment is community service. They should be made to work grave side.They should put them all back!Start with my Grandfather's in evergreen! I will gladly supervise and any other family that had loved ones graves robbed should as well.

Posted by: Cannot imagine Location: Belpre, Ohio on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I can not imagine what type of person and in what frame of mind could go into a cemetary and steal momentos and vases from memorials of the dead.

Posted by: Anon Location: Washington, WV on Aug 20, 2008 at 10:02 AM
What a disgusting low life!!!!!!!!!