At the Japanese Cemetery, bronze vases have been stolen from the Buddhist Churches of America memorial monument (center) and from the Columbarium (in the background).

by J.K. YAMAMOTO
Hokubei Mainichi

COLMA — Two men have been arrested for attempting to steal metal items from a cemetery in Colma, but the investigation of a series of such thefts is ongoing.

Ruben Lopez, 29, and Richard Patino, 31, of Union City were caught trying to take two bronze gates, each weighing 100 pounds, from a mausoleum at Hills of Eternity Memorial Park on Aug. 18, according to Detective Cecilia Garay of the Colma Police Department.

A dozen thefts have been reported at Colma’s cemeteries in the last three months, including bronze vases taken from the Buddhist Churches of America’s memorial monument in the Japanese Cemetery. The Hokubei Mainichi has also learned of at least one vase taken from a crypt inside the cemetery’s Columbarium.

These incidents are part of a nationwide crime wave in which metal objects that can be sold to recyclers are being stolen, in some cases by the ton. Cemeteries are no exception; in Union City, someone recently made off with some urns, one containing human remains.

Garay said that it is “hard to tell” if the two men arrested are responsible for all the Colma cases, and that stepped-up police patrols are continuing. People found walking around the cemeteries at night are stopped and questioned.

Some of these individuals appear to simply be “people who like to walk through cemeteries,” while a man who was riding a bike through a cemetery was just taking a shortcut to his home, she said.

Meeting With Cemetery Reps

A meeting between law enforcement and representatives of 11 of Colma’s 16 cemeteries, including the Japanese Cemetery, was held on Aug. 19 at the Colma Recreation Center. The police explained the demand for certain metals and gave tips on preventing thefts. “Obviously, you can’t completely stop it, but we can at least try,” Garay said.

The meeting was closed to the press and, to avoid tipping off the thieves, the prevention measures are not being discussed publicly.

Garay added that “just everybody coming together and talking” was significant because the cemetery owners, who do not have a formal organization, were able to exchange information.

Not all of Colma’s cemeteries have reported thefts, but given the large size of most of the cemeteries, it’s possible that some thefts haven’t been detected yet, said Garay, noting that a grounds-keeper or a person visiting a relative’s grave might be the first to notice that something is missing. She encouraged the public to report any thefts, even if they occurred months ago.

She can be reached at (650) 997-8340 or cecilia.garay@colma.ca.gov.

Recyclers Contacted

The Colma police recently visited recyclers in San Francisco to discuss the problem. They learned that while each person who brings in scrap metal is asked for identification, as required by law, the mass quantities of material brought in make it difficult to notice items that are obviously stolen, Garay said, adding that the thieves sometimes cut the objects into pieces to make them harder to identify.

Police believe there are also recyclers who will accept suspicious items without asking any questions.

To remedy this situation, State Sen. Ronald Calderon (D-Montebello) and Assemblyman Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) have introduced bills that would place additional requirements on recyclers and increase penalties on metal thieves. The legislation was approved by the Assembly last week and the Senate this week.

The legislation requires thumbprints from those selling copper, copper alloys, aluminum and stainless steel. Sellers must show government ID and proof of their current address. Recyclers who break the law would face suspension or revocation of their business license, as well as fines and jail time.

“Sen. Calderon has been committed to this issue and I am proud to join with him to provide a strong solution to this ongoing problem,” said Berryhill in a statement. “AB 844 will provide a strong deterrent to those seeking a quick cash fix.

“This crime has wreaked havoc on all areas of our state. No one has been spared from these criminals who strip wires from utilities, vandalize fire hydrants, steal manhole covers, destroy agricultural equipment, remove guardrails – the list goes on and on.”