A Jefferson County grand jury today indicted four men for stealing flower vases from cemeteries.
The men were also taking brass sprinkler parts from cemeteries in Jefferson County, Adams County and Denver.
Michael Dean Gonser, 43, Donald Richard Tebeau, 46, Jason Lee Seader, 37, and Juan Gallegos, 27, have all been indicted on one or more felony counts of theft receiving and conspiracy to commit theft receiving.
According to a release from the Jefferson County’s District Attorney’s Office, the men worked together to steal the brass items, break or cut them into smaller less recognizable pieces, and then sell them for cash at recycling centers.
Gallegos is alleged to have sold 208 vases between July and November of 2010.
Mount Olivet Cemetery reported that in summer and early fall of 2010, 578 sprinkler heads were stolen from their property at a value of more than $122,695.
A total of at least 600 vases were believed stolen, but since those are property of the family of the deceased, not of the cemetery, the estimate is not thought to be complete. Families pay between $200 and $500 for the vases, but according to the release, the men likely sold them for about $20.
Gonser is estimated to have sold $14,931 worth of brass pieces.
Tebeau was arrested earlier this week, and warrants have been issued for the other three men.
