EL PASO, Texas — A 53-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing copper flower vases from more than 70 gravesites at Evergreen Cemetery in Far East El Paso and attempting to sell them at local recycling centers.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies responded Monday to reports of stolen property at the cemetery located near the El Paso County Jail Annex on Montana Avenue. Investigators discovered that the missing copper vases, each valued at approximately $400, had been taken from over 70 graves.
Detectives found discarded flowers dumped in a nearby desert area and suspect the thefts may have been ongoing for several months.
Following up with local recycling centers, deputies were alerted when a center reported an individual trying to sell two copper vases matching those stolen. The suspect was identified as Daniel Sanchez.
Sanchez admitted awareness that the vases he tried to sell were stolen. He was booked into the El Paso County Jail on a property theft charge with a bond set at $1,000. Jail records show Sanchez posted bond and was released the same day.
