MANCHESTER-An Ocean County man has been charged in connection with the theft of approximately 500 bronze grave marker vases from Whiting Memorial Park. John H. White, 46, with addresses in Manchester, Jackson, and Lakewood was charged with theft, desecration of venerated objects, and criminal mischief after a nearly month-long investigation.
On February 14th, staff members from Whiting Memorial Park, located on Route 530, reported missing bronze grave marker vases to Ptl. Thomas Dill of the department’s Patrol Bureau. While taking the initial report, staff members reported to Ptl. Dill that approximately 700 bronze vases had been stolen. The total value of the stolen vases is estimated to be approximately $175,000.
Following the initial report, Detective Craig Beaulieu was assigned to investigate the case. Utilizing electronic law enforcement databases, Detective Beaulieu discovered that John H. White sold almost 3,000 pounds of bronze (equating to approximately 494 vases) to two local scrap yards. It is believed that the theft of the vases occurred during a month-long period beginning January 24, 2018. Approximately 450 vases were recovered as a result of this investigation.