BEAUMONT, Texas — The groundskeeper at a Beaumont cemetery found two mausoleum tombs damaged and one casket opened almost two weeks ago.
Beaumont Police are investigating after a burglary at Forest Lawn Cemetery on Pine Street, Officer Haley Morrow said in a news release. Investigators believe this happened between Monday, July 1 after 2 p.m. and Wednesday, July 3 at 9 a.m.
"To have that resting place be disturbed, it's a very uncomfortable and disturbing feeling. It's not something that anyone should take lightly," Beaumont Police Officer Haley Morrow said.
The person responsible could be charged with tampering with a corpse, which could be a state jail felony.
"They only desecrated a brick and mortar and clay and ash barrier ground, but their loved one is at peace with God," Beaumont pastor Dwight Benoit said. "To hear that young men, women, whoever committed the crime did that, they don't have to do such things when there are so much other opportunities."
"“Last week we discovered damages to a mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The Beaumont Police Department was notified immediately, and we are fully cooperating with their investigation," Forest Lawn Cemetary staff said in an emailed statement. "Because this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to share any details related to this matter.”
Anyone with information about this crime should call Southeast Texas Crime Stoppers at 409-833-TIPS or download the P3 TIPS app and submit your tip with your smartphone or tablet.
All tips are anonymous and you could be eligible for a cash reward.
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
If you have information about this crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or text “BMT” followed by your tip information to CRIMES (274637) from your mobile phone.
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