Crime hits home for Allegany County Veterans Service Director
(Editor’s note: The bronze marker on Fred Roberts’ grave was not stolen, but it was a photo showing what they look like)
Michael T. Baldwin reports,
A criminal investigation has been launched after at least 13 bronze military plaques were pried off the headstones of veterans at Sacred Heart Cemetery on South Main Street.
The thefts were first observed Monday with more discovered today. Wellsville police arrived at the sceve Tuesday afternoon and interviewed the cemetery caretaker. Initially, there appeared to be no pattern to the theft. This comes days after flowers were stolen from the Shane Colligan Memorial Park just down the street.
Allegany County Veterans Service Director Mike Hennessy was immediately notified. Mike’s brother’s plaque as well as several uncles are among the missing plaques.
Anyone with information is asked to call Wellsville Police at 585-593-5600.
Update: The Wellsville American Legion Facebook posted this:
FROM: BRENT ROBERTS, COMMANDER, WELLSVILLE AMERICAN LEGION POST 702.
WITH APPROVAL FROM THE OFFICERS OF WELLSVILLE AMERICAN LEGION, A $2000.00 REWARD FOR INFORMATION AND CONVICTION OF THE INDIVIDAULS REMOVING VETERANS BRONZE MARKERS FROM THE BACK OF VETERANS HEADSTONES. ANY0NE WITH INFORMATION TO THIS CRIME, PLEASE CONTACT
WELLSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 585-593-5600.
