Thieves Targeting Mourners At Lowell Cemetery

LOWELL (CBS) - Mourners are being targeted by thieves at cemeteries on the North Shore.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports.

Since Memorial Day, about a dozen people have reported they were robbed while visiting the public cemeteries in Lowell.

Cemetery officials actually think the number is a lot higher because many robberies are not being reported.

Thieves have been targeting the elderly.

An 86-year-old woman had her purse taken even though she had tucked it under one of the seats.

"I should have locked the door," said Phyllis McWilliams, who lost around $140.

The cemetery director says they get more visitors between Memorial Day and July 4th, making it easy for thieves to blend in.

Last month, police began investigating robberies at cemeteries in Lawrence.