Early Police Chief David Mercer reported that his department was able to locate some of the vases stolen last week from Eastlawn Memorial Park, which resulted in charges being filed against one man.

The vases were cut up but still identifiable and sold to a scrap yard in Brady, Texas, according to Mercer.

The suspect, J. R. Pierce was located in the McCullough County Jail where he had been arrested by Brady Police on unrelated charges.  Pierce was questioned and a warrant was obtained on Pierce for felony theft, said Mercer.

The initial report of the theft stated that during the overnight hours of August 12, some 60 copper vases were stolen from the Garden of Devotion area of Eastlawn Memorial Park.  Mercer stated that all the vases were removed from the graves and flowers were placed back into the holes that remained.  The estimated value of these vases exceeds $10,000, he stated.

The investigation is continuing and other individuals are being sought for questioning, reported Mercer.