Vandals Topple Gravestones In Watertown Cemetery

WATERTOWN (CBS) - Jose Suares was among local residents who went to Saint Patrick's Cemetery on Wednesday, after hearing that vandals had toppled several headstones there.

"It's just beyond words (that) anyone that would do something like this," said Suares, who visited the cemetery to check on headstones.

Someone visiting the Belmont Street cemetery called police to report the vandalism about 7 p.m. Tuesday. Police are now seeking the public's help in catching the vandals. Seven headstones were overturned and a beautiful statue memorial was destroyed. The statue lay broken and in pieces on the ground.

Watertown Police Lt. James O'Connor, who responded to the cemetery, said police are looking for any information that may lead to the vandals.

"It's very serious. It's disturbing behavior. It's in the middle of a neighborhood. It's a cemetery," O'Connor said.

Several detectives are working the case. For many of them, the desecration of the cemetery is personal, because their loved ones are buried in Saint Patrick's Cemetery.

"A lot of people here who work in the town, they have relatives here so it definitely hits home," said Detective David MacNeil, whose grandparents are among those who are laid to rest in the cemetery.

Anyone with information is asked to call Watertown police at 617-972-6500.