$3,000 reward offered following desecration of at least 30 headstones at local cemeteries - Photos of the damage

Posted: January 14, 2013 - 1:08pm
Updated: January 17, 2013 - 11:45pm

Shawnee Police announce reward offered for information:

On Thursday afternoon, Shawnee Police announced that there is now a reward being offered for information in this case.

Police say the Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas and the City of Shawnee are offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for knocking over and damaging at least 31 headstones and grave markers.

Anyone with information about who may have desecrated these grave markers, some of which date back to the 1890's, is encouraged to call the Shawnee Police Department at 913-631-2155.

Original report:

Shawnee Police are investigating after more than 30 headstones in three Shawnee cemeteries were damaged.

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The cemeteries include the Shawnee Cemetery Est. 1872, the Saint Joseph's Catholic Cemetery Est. 1880, and the Pleasant View Cemetery Est. 1895. All three line the east side of Quivira Road from the 6000 block to the 6200 block.

Captain Bill Hisle says 31 headstones were knocked over and some damaged late Friday or early Saturday morning.

A passerby discovered the damage and reported it to Police around noon Saturday.

Police believe the headstones were knocked over by using physical force and say there is no evidence to indicate that a vehicle or any kind of equipment was used.

Monday morning, the headstones were still laying damaged on the ground. More photos of the damage can be seen below this report. County records show that the three cemeteries cover nearly 18 acres.

Police say there is no information on possible suspects. Anyone with information is asked to call Shawnee Police at 913-631-2155 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477 (TIPS).

Remember where you heard this news first, Operation 100 News, reporting the news to the public as it breaks. Operation 100 News reported this story as it was happening at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Click images to view larger. All photos are the property of Operation 100 News' Mike Frizzell and are not to be used in any way without specific permission.

Eight headstones can be seen knocked over