Photo: Shari Small/ WBZ NewsRadio
NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Police are investigating after a Newburyport cemetery with graves dating back to 1729 was targeted by thieves.
Newburyport's Old Hills Cemetery has lost two bronze plaques that were ripped from an entrance to the historic burial ground. Local historian Ghlee Woodworth, who gives tours of the burial grounds, called the crime "heartbreaking and disrespectful."
"There are over 50 American Revolution soldiers who were buried here, along with so many other people," Woodworth said.
Key figures like ministers, veterans, and prisoners of war are also buried at the historical site. Other bronze plaques have been stolen from neighboring community cemeteries.
Woodworth said she is perplexed by the crime.
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"If they're melting them down, they have to have a foundry, or someone's got something in their backyard," Woodworth said. "Somebody out there knows something that's going on, and they need to do the right thing."
Woodworth also noted that the melted-down bronze is not particularly valuable
"If that's what they're doing, how much money are they getting? Really, are they getting that much money?"
Woodworth is pleading for anyone who has information to come forward.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.