SAUGUS – Police are preparing summons for two Winthrop residents in connection with the theft of more than 600 flag holders at Riverside Cemetery.
During a press conference Tuesday, Lt. Leonard Campanello said Craig P. Nolan, 40 of 5 Charles St. and Joshua Shulman, 33 of 19 Oceanview Avenue will be arraigned later this week with being accessories after the fact, larceny over $250 and defacing gravestones by the removal of veterans markers.
A third suspect, Dennis S. Stack, 35, of 200 Somerset Avenue is on the run. Campanello said Stack is believed to be in Florida, “allegedly as a result of the media attention to this crime.”
An arrest warrant has been issued on felony charges of larceny over $25,000 and 680 counts of defacing gravestones by removal of veterans markers.
The charges stem from an incident on Oct. 7, when two town employees out for an early morning walk spotted two individuals stacking what appeared to be aluminum veterans grave markers and posts into a vehicle.
Campanello said the police investigation that ensued included visits to multiple scrap yards, interviews with witnesses and other parties and a very helpful anonymous tip. The tip allegedly identified the vehicles used in the thefts.
“Members of the Saugus Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation followed up on this tip and were led to Winthrop. With the cooperation of the Winthrop Police Department, three suspects were identified,” Campanello said.
The grave markers were not recovered.
Costs to replace the flag holders has been estimated at $14,000.
The Cemetery Commission, along with the Veterans Council has started a fundraiser to pay for the markers, but Selectman Steve Castinetti said only a few hundred dollars has been collected so far.
However, Town Manager Andrew Bisignani said that a local company has offered to donate the material needed to make the flag holders.
Veterans Council President Douglas Cooper said he was grateful to the town for jumping on the issue so fast.
“I blame the scrap yard owners,” he said. “Unfortunately these people have drug habits and steal to feed it, but the markers say what they are.”
Each marker was clearly identified with a veterans medallion representing the deceased’s branch of service and, in some cases, the war in which they served.
Cooper said his group is in the process of seeking legislation similar to what governs pawn shops. He said it would require anyone who brings in scrap metal to show positive identification and be issued a check instead of cash.
VFW Chaplain Fred Arsenault said he, too, was pleased with the outcome of the case and hoped for a swift and just ending.
“Let’s face it, this is probably the biggest slap in the face we’ve ever gotten,” he said.
Should Stack be tracked down, Campanello said the District Attorney has supported extradition from Florida if it comes to that.
“The summons (for Stack) is issued and will remain in place until we have him in custody,” he said.
