Man Arrested In Theft Of 494 Bronze Grave Vases In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — An Ocean County man has been arrested two days after authorities charged him in connection with the theft of nearly 500 bronze grave marker vases from a Manchester cemetery, police said Tuesday.

John H. White, 46, was arrested Monday at a home in Jackson Township, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said. He is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, awaiting a detention hearing.

More than 700 of the bronze vases, valued at $175,000, have been stolen from Whiting Memorial Park on Route 530, and police believe the thefts began in late January, Malland said. Cemetery staff discovered the thefts and reported them Feb. 14, he said.

White was identified as the suspect through an electronic database that records sales to pawn dealers and scrap metal dealers, he said. Detective Craig Beaulieu discovered White had sold nearly 3,000 pounds of bronze (equalling about 494 vases) to two local scrap yards, according to those electronic records. The vases White is accused of stealing are valued at more than $125,000, Malland said.

About 450 of the stolen vases were recovered from the scrap yard, he said.

After releasing information about White and the case Saturday, police received numerous tips, Malland said, aond one said White was staying at a West Veterans Highway address in Jackson. White, who was in the home, was arrested by Jackson police officers without incident.

White, who has addresses in Manchester, Jackson, and Lakewood, has been charged with theft, desecration of venerated objects, and criminal mischief, Malland said.

"We would like to thank the Jackson Township Police Department for assisting in this investigation," Malland said. "Additionally, we would like to thank everyone in and around the community that sent in a tip or called in with information in this case."

Anyone with further information can Beaulieu at 732-657-2009, ext. 4205. Additionally, anonymous information can be submitted through the "Tipline" link on our department website at www.ManchesterPoliceNJ.com.

John Henry White photo via Ocean County Corrections online database