Thieves steal around 100 brass memorial plaques from two South Australian cemeteries, including a tribute to a World War I veteran

Thieves have stolen around 100 brass memorial plaques from two cemeteries in South Australia, leaving families distressed and graves damaged. The thefts were reported at Quorn and Wilmington, two communities in the state's north, about 40 kilometres apart. More than 80 plaques were taken from Quorn Cemetery, while 14 graves at Wilmington were also targeted.One of the stolen plaques honoured a World War I veteran. The thefts came to light in early March, prompting police to launch an investigation. According to ABC News, police have urged the public to come forward with information, and the state government has said it will work with the Flinders Ranges Council to fund replacements.Brass plaques removed from graves and memorials at QuornThe theft at Quorn cemetery was discovered on Friday morning, according to Flinders Ranges Council mayor Ken Anderson. More than 80 brass plaques were estimated to have been taken from the site. Most were removed from a rose garden where ashes were kept.Anderson said at least one of the affected memorials was less than six months old. He described the small community as being in total disbelief after the discovery.He said, "The thieves have either come along with a hammer and a chisel or a battery-operated set-up and they've prised these off and smashed some of the plinths that they were on."How did families discover the missing memorial plaquesThe second cemetery affected was at Wilmington, about 40 kilometres from Quorn. Keryn Corr visited the site with her husband Ross to see his parents’ graves and found that the brass plaque had been removed from their tombstone. She estimated that about 14 other graves had also been affected. Roslyn Roocke later checked the graves of her family members and discovered that the plaque for her great-uncle was missing.He had served in World War I. Roocke said the loss was upsetting and hurtful, and said the thieves had shown disrespect for those who fought in the wars and risked their lives.How have the thefts affected families and local communitiesThe mayors of the two council areas suspect the plaques were stolen to be sold for their material value. Anderson said brass contains copper and zinc, and believed the thefts were financially motivated. He urged anyone who was offered the plaques to report the matter. The mayor of the District Council of Mount Remarkable, Stephen McCarthy, said plaques had been taken from 14 graves at Wilmington. He said, "These people have had their identities stolen as well, so it really is a sad day for those people that are associated - the descendants, the townspeople”"These people might think they are very clever but they will get caught at some stage and we expect the law at its fullest could be executed onto these people."McCarthy said newer plaques made with a less expensive alloy were not taken, and that the thieves ‘know what they’re doing’.Police urge public to share information about stolen plaquesSouth Australia Police said officers were aware of the thefts and vandalism at both cemeteries. The force confirmed that an investigation was underway and urged anyone with information to contact police through Crime Stoppers.The theft at Quorn was discovered on Friday morning, while the damage at Wilmington came to light afterwards. On Sunday, the South Australian government said it would work with Flinders Ranges Council to fund the replacement of the memorials.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.