Queensland Police are appealing for public assistance as part of their investigation into the theft of cemetery headstones in the Sunshine Coast area.
Police say 16 brass plaques were taken from a cemetery along Roys Road in Beerwah on Wednesday November 1st.
“The plaques have then allegedly been damaged to remove the names and sold to second-hand dealers,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
“Following investigations by the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigative Branch, a search warrant was executed in Peachester on November 10. Police allegedly located and seized three grinders.”
A 38-year-old man and a 45-year-old man, both from Caboolture, were arrested and charged with possess tainted property, enter premises and commit indictable offence, dishonestly obtain property and fraud.
They have both been remanded in custody and are expected to reappear at Maryborough Magistrates Court on December 14th.
Police have recovered 25 plaques and are appealing for public assistance to help identify the names and other cemeteries that may have been affected.
The community is advised to report outstanding plaques or similar incidents to police or be in contact with the local cemetery.