Copper wire thieves now stealing copper candleholders at cemetery

Copper wire thieves are not only stealing power lines but also copper candleholders that are placed on the graves at the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery.

Celina Kaipat told Saipan Tribune last night that thieves stole two candleholders made of copper from the grave of her father at the Chalan Kanoa Cemetery last Sunday.

Kaipat also complained that before all Soul’s Day, solar lights that they put at the grave of her husband at the Tanapag Cemetery were also stolen.

Kaipat also disclosed that her sister-in-law, attorney Jacinta Kaipat, posted in her Facebook account similar incidents at Chalan Kanoa Cemetery.

She said they already reported the matter to police.

Asked about the incidents, Department of Public Safety spokesman Jason Tarkong said he heard about the matter and that he is going to verify it.

Jacinta Kaipat posted in her Facebook account that on Sunday morning family members were dismayed to discover that a thief or thieves dismantled and stole the copper candleholders from her brother Cris’ grave.

Jacinta Kaipat said if that wasn’t bad enough, thieves also stole the same copper candle holders from their parents’ and brother Saturn’s graves as well.

As a matter of fact, the lawyer said, a number of other graves were also robbed of copper candleholders.

“How disgusting is this?” Jacinta Kaipat said.

The lawyer urged anyone who has information about these thefts at the cemetery to call NMI Crime Stoppers at 234-7272.