Thread: Suspect Arrested In Grave Robbery Series

SAN DIEGO -- A Clairemont man is in jail on suspicion of of stealing bronze vases and grave markers from local cemeteries and selling them as scrap metal.

San Diego police arrested Jack Prell, 52, on Monday. He is charged with multple counts of possessing stolen property, grand theft and destruction and removal of cemetery property.

Neighbors said that Prell has a criminal history and is currently on parole after serving time in prison.Marie Malette told NBC 7/39 that he has been in and out of jail for drug offenses, but he recently seemed to be turning his life around.

"At times, we thought he was doing good," Malette said. "Every once in a while, the cops are over and jack's in trouble."

The news of an arrest came as a big relief for Jim March, the general manager of Singing Hills Memorial Park. Over the past two months, about 200 bronze vases have been stolen from the cemetery, March said.

The vases cost about $150 each, but they were being sold for much less to metal recycling businesses as scrap metal, March said.

"I hope that it's an issue that doesn't go away, because we still have the problem of recyclers and people being able to get rid of this stuff as easily as they do.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/9723963/detail.html

What in the world is wrong with people?