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Sprinkler Heads Stolen From Wheat Ridge Cemetery

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - Metal thieves have targeted a cemetery in Wheat Ridge, just months after four people were indicted for stealing metal from the property.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of $26,000 worth of copper sprinkler heads from Mount Olivett Cemetery over the weekend. Spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said Thursday that the thieves take the metal and sell it to scrap metal yards.

"They have no heart, no soul, no respect, no consideration for others. That's they way I think about it," Lia Tinker from Denver said.

"It's a tremendous irritation to us and it's a cost factor to us, but it's also sad that people have to do this because it is sinking pretty low," cemetery director Mike Wright said.

Kelley says four people were indicted last fall for allegedly stealing brass vases and copper sprinkler heads from Mount Olivett and Crown Hill cemeteries in Wheat Ridge as well as other Denver area cemeteries. There are no new suspects in the latest theft.

Authorities believe vase thefts recently reported at Crown Hill were taken last year and are only now being discovered.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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