Police: Cemetery vase thieves surrender

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama (WALA) - Robertsdale Police have recovered the bronze vases that were stolen from area cemeteries. Shortly after the discovery, the suspects turned themselves in.

Flowers and grave markers are the final reminders of friends, siblings, and parents at Baldwin Memorial Cemetery. But when uninvited visitors robbed graveyards throughout the area, many were angered beyond belief.

Dawn Aldridge visits the cemetery often, where her son is buried.

"I was just so furious when I came out here to put flowers on his grave for Valentine's Day and it upset me bad that somebody would do something like that," Aldridge said.

Tuesday morning, Robertsdale Police discovered that 179 bronze vases were sold at Wise Recycling in Foley.

"My dad is a veteran and he fought for these people before he even knew them. And then they come and do this, this is a disgrace," Tammy Younce said.

The suspects, 49-year-old William Thomas Douglas and his sister, 40-year-old Amber Douglas Jerkins, turned themselves in later in the day. Police said the pair face first degree theft charges.

"I don't care if they're down on their luck, nobody should do that, nobody," added Aldridge.

Police said they've recovered just about all the vases, but they're still working to make sure there are not any left.

After hearing that the vases were recovered, Aldridge picked through the recovered goods. In a matter of minutes she was able to find the vase that belonged to her son's grave.

It may be a small vase, but she feels putting flowers in it is still a way to express her love to her son and now she can have that chance once again.

The vases are currently being kept at the Robertsdale Police Department. If you have a loved one whose grave was robbed, give them a call at 251-947-2222.