Men Face Charges For Stealing 200 Vases From Gravesites: Police

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Two men are in custody on theft charges for allegations they stole around 200 decorative gravestone vases from cemetery sites in McHenry County.

Fermin Tonche Gallardo, 30, and Marcos Mendez, 41, both of Waukegan, have been charged with theft of less than $10,000, a class 2 felony, and damage to a gravestone, a class 4 felony, according to a news release from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities launched an investigation into the gravesite thefts in September 2024, after receiving a report from officials at McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery in Woodstock regarding a theft.

Police learned around 200 decorative metallic gravestone vases were removed from gravestones and stolen, according to the news release. Each decorative vase ranged in value from $200 to $900.

Detectives investigated the thefts and were able to identify Gallardo and Mendez as suspects in the thefts. Arrest warrants have been issued for both men, police said last week.