A brazen theft ring has been uncovered in Illinois, with two suspects accused of stealing hundreds of vases from cemeteries in Lake and McHenry counties. The stolen vases, valued between $500 and $800 each, were then sold to local scrapyards, which are now under investigation for liability.
According to officials, the thefts were first reported in August, when Lake County deputies were alerted to the disappearance of vases from a cemetery in Libertyville. Further investigation revealed that the suspects had stolen hundreds of similar vases from cemeteries in both counties.
The suspects, identified as Marcos Mendez, 41, and Fermin Tonche-Gallardo, 30, both of Waukegan, allegedly stole the vases and sold them to scrapyards. Mendez remains at large, with an arrest warrant issued for his capture.
Tonche-Gallardo was arrested on Wednesday and charged with theft and five counts of damaging a headstone. Additional charges are expected in the near future. In a statement, Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg denounced the thefts, saying, “There’s nothing lower than stealing from those resting in peace. Instead of honoring their loved ones, people were victimized by theft at a sacred place.”
The thefts have left families devastated, with one woman, Michelle Tucsek, whose parents’ graves were damaged, expressing her outrage. “My gosh, may God punish you for doing that, you know. It’s just, it’s awful,” she said in an interview with ABC 7 in September.
Tonche-Gallardo appeared in court on Thursday and was released on pretrial conditions. Meanwhile, the scrapyards that purchased the stolen vases are facing scrutiny. The scandal has raised questions about the accountability of these businesses and their role in the thefts.
In a separate incident, a cemetery in Waxahachie, Texas, was vandalized in March 2022, with historic gravestones damaged or destroyed. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of cemeteries to theft and vandalism. The Illinois case has sparked concerns about the need for increased security measures at cemeteries and the importance of holding accountable those responsible for such crimes.
