Arlington Heights, IL – A 61-year-old Cook County man has been arrested after police say he allegedly stole hundreds of bronze gravestone vases from cemeteries across northern Illinois, including one in Arlington Heights over the weekend.
According to the Arlington Heights Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call on September 12, 2025, around 2:45 p.m. after a cemetery employee reported a suspicious person removing vases at a cemetery in the 2500 block of East Euclid Avenue. Police say the suspect fled on foot but was later located with help from a drone and a Mount Prospect police K-9 unit.
Authorities identified the suspect as Randall G. Kasten of Northlake. According to police, Kasten allegedly admitted during an interview that he intended to sell the stolen vases to a scrap yard and claimed responsibility for similar thefts dating back to fall 2024. Investigators say he suggested he may have taken more than 1,000 vases from different cemeteries throughout northern Illinois.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges against Kasten, including unlawful vandalism of a gravestone (Class 2 felony) and theft (Class 3 felony).
Kasten was released from custody under the Pretrial Fairness Act. His first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.
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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