Three could face felonies for vandalism to Stillwater cemetery

• Cemetery vandalism

Vandals caused more than $10,000 damage by tipping numerous headstones, and smashing dozens of urns, at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater early Sunday morning. Some toppled and broken monuments were more than 100 years old and had been maintained by local families for generations. (submitted photo)

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Four young men, including one from Woodbury, were arrested on suspicion of vandalism to a Stillwater cemetery early Sunday morning.

The incident was reported to police shortly before 1:30 a.m. when a neighbor heard what they described as the sound of bricks being smashed on cement at Fairview Cemetery.

Vandals caused more than $10,000 damage by tipping numerous headstones, and smashing dozens of urns, some valued at $3,000 a piece, said cemetery superintendent Tracy Bachmeier. Stillwater Police responded to the report around 1:30 a.m.; the men were apprehended a short time later.

Vandals caused more than $10,000 damage by tipping numerous headstones, and smashing dozens of urns, at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater early Sunday morning. Some toppled and broken monuments were more than 100 years old and had been maintained by local families for generations. (Photo courtesy Tracy and Barb Bachmeier)

Vandals caused more than $10,000 damage by tipping numerous headstones, and smashing dozens of urns, at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater early Sunday morning. Some toppled and broken monuments were more than 100 years old and had been maintained by local families for generations. (Photo courtesy Tracy and Barb Bachmeier)

Three of the men — one, 20, of Stillwater; another, 19, of White Bear Lake; and the last, 18, of Woodbury — were held briefly at Washington County Jail on potential felony property damage charges, as well as potential charges of disturbing a grave site, underage consumption of alcohol and trespassing.

A fourth male, age 16, was arrested but not taken to jail.

The Stillwater man's address was listed at an apartment building at 14625 62nd St., which is across the street from the cemetery’s south border.

Bachmeier, who lives east of the cemetery, across Osgood Avenue, said he did not hear the damage as it happened; however, police contacted him after a neighbor reported hearing noises. He spent the rest of the next day cleaning up the mess, he said.

“Just morons,” Bachmeier said of the alleged vandals. “Eighteen-year olds should know better.”

The 141-year old cemetery is on Osgood Avenue on Stillwater’s South Hill.

Tags: stillwater, cemetery, woodbury, vandalism, fairview