Council Bluffs Police give an update on their investigation into the thefts of hundreds of memorial vases from cemeteries in Omaha and Council Bluffs.
Four suspects are in custody, and other known suspects are being sought.
Investigators say in late July, the Council Bluffs Police Criminal Investigation Division started to look into the theft of memorial vases from local cemeteries after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen.
The citizen observed a vehicle containing many memorial vases traveling near a scrap metal recycler in Carter Lake.
The citizen contacted a friend, a local funeral home director, who confirmed the suspicious behavior and contacted police
Detectives say they discovered two former contract employees at midtown Omaha's Westlawn-Hillcrest Cemetery, who are accused of stealing memorial vases from the cemetery and selling them as scrap metal.
They are accused of conspiring with others to steal and scrap the vases.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives have recovered over 800 vases that were stolen from cemeteries in Omaha and Council Bluffs.
The vases are predominantly made of bronze and are valued between $150 and $600 each, depending on the brand and type of vase.
Police estimate the total monetary loss to victims is well over $100,000.00.
(Pictures from Council Bluffs Police)