Graveside robbers return to Castlebrook Memorial Park in Rouse Hill to steal from more grave sites

The local community was left reeling last week when Fairfax Media reported the theft of $55,000 of bronze ornamental vases — some holding flowers — from individual grave sites at the cemetery in Rouse Hill.

Sadly, the cemetery’s communications manager, Karl Wolfenden, has just confirmed further vases have gone missing.

This is in spite of a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the culprits who stole 100 vases from the cemetery the week before.

In the latest incident, copper and bronze items have been taken from memorial sites between Sunday, November 22 and Tuesday, November 24, Mr Wolfenden said.

‘‘Castlebrook Memorial Park is assisting police with their enquiries, we have upgraded the security on the site — with enhancements to gates and other boundaries having been made — and we are offering a reward of $5000 for information that leads to an arrest,’’ he said.

‘‘We have also alerted scrap metal merchants across Sydney.

‘‘These vases have been chosen by families as additions to a memorial created for a loved one. They are used when families visit, to leave fresh flowers on graves and cremation memorials.

‘‘In the lead up to Christmas — which is a very family-centric time of year — we strive to make our grounds ready for a high number of visitors and, as you can imagine, we strongly share the community’s outrage over these thefts.

‘‘We know that affected families, still seeking to cope with their grief, will be saddened that their memorials have been targeted.

‘‘Cemeteries are public places, but more than this, they are places where people are able to express sadness and other strong emotions over a missing loved one. These thieves are taking more than these vases, they are taking peace of mind.

‘‘Castlebrook will replace the stolen vases. However, to discourage this from occurring again, we will not be replacing them with items made of bronze, and we are working with affected families to inform them and to provide them with options.

‘‘We invite any memorial holder with concerns about their loved one’s gravesite or cremation memorial to contact our office on 96291477.

‘‘Plastic vases will be available for families to place flowers during their visits over the Christmas period and we are in discussions with our suppliers, to determine a suitable replacement which will be provided to affected families, free of charge.’’

Last week’s theft from Castlebrook Memorial Park was noticed by its grounds team, led by operations manager Terry Farmer, around 7.30am on November 19.

Mr Wolfenden, said about 100 bronze vases, worth $550 each, were taken from individual grave sites in the Calvary IV and Calvary V memorial areas of the cemetery off Windsor Road.

Officers from Quakers Hill local area command are investigating both incidents.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed or has information about the theft to call Quakers Hill Police Station on 9678 8999 or Crime Stoppers.

■ Affected individuals or families willing to share their stories are encouraged to contact reporter Isabell Petrinic on 8867 2912 or email ipetrinic@fairfaxmedia.com.au