EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the theft of copper vases at a cemetery in far East El Paso, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.
Daniel Sanchez, 53, was arrested on Monday, July 7, and is facing one count of theft of property with a $1,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s Office said that their deputies discovered that over 70 gravesites were missing copper flower vases at Evergreen Cemetery, located at the 12400 block of Montana Ave.
The Sheriff’s Office also believes that the thefts have been ongoing for several months. The vases are valued at approximately $400 each, the Sheriff’s Office added.
On July 7, deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office East Montana Patrol Station (EMPS) responded to a walk-in report of stolen property at Evergreen Cemetery.
Evidence suggested the vases had been deliberately and systematically removed, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies and detectives launched an extensive investigation, including outreach to multiple local recycling centers, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The investigation led to a break when a local recycling center contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report that an individual was attempting to sell two copper vases matching the description of those stolen.
Deputies responded to the scene and identified the suspect as Sanchez.
Further investigation revealed that Sanchez was aware the items were stolen and was attempting to sell them quickly, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Detectives also searched the desert area near the cemetery, where they located several piles of discarded flowers, believed to be an effort to conceal stolen property.
Sanchez was arrested and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility.
Anyone with information or who believes they may have been affected is encouraged to contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office at (915) 273-3814.
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