Rolling Meadows, IL – A 62-year-old man has been charged with felony theft following the disappearance of bronze vases from gravesites in a Wheeling Township cemetery.
Security personnel at Shalom Memorial Park reported the thefts around 6 a.m. Sunday, after noticing several grave markers had been disturbed. According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, one of the stolen bronze vases was equipped with a tracking device, which ultimately led authorities to a suspect.
The device’s signal led police to Lincolnshire, where local officers located a Ford Expedition matching the description seen in cemetery security footage. Inside the vehicle, authorities reportedly found multiple bronze vases.
The driver, identified as Ronald Kathe, was taken into custody. Sheriff’s Police obtained a search warrant and recovered a total of eight stolen bronze vases from the SUV.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one count of theft over $500—a Class 3 felony—against Kathe on Monday. He was released from custody on Tuesday, following a court appearance at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse. Kathe was also ordered to avoid Shalom Memorial Park and all cemeteries pending further legal proceedings.
Authorities emphasized that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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