Families visiting loved ones at a Waldorf cemetery were hit with an especially cruel shock, as detectives say more than 100 bronze memorial vases vanished from Trinity Memorial Gardens in a brazen scrap‑metal scheme. On Wednesday, two Waldorf men were arrested, and investigators say they managed to recover a large portion of the stolen ornaments before they could be processed at a scrap‑metal facility. All told, authorities say the recovered pieces are worth more than $100,000, and the arrests mark a major break in a case that had left families searching for long‑held memorials.
In a press release from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, deputies identified the suspects as 25‑year‑old Trey Franklin Mason and 34‑year‑old David Anthony Downing, both of Waldorf. The two were charged with theft scheme, destruction of property, fraud and related offenses, and are being held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center, according to the release. Officials said the alleged thefts targeted Trinity Memorial Gardens on Mattawoman Beantown Road.
How Investigators Say They Cracked The Case
As reported by FOX 5 DC, detectives say the thefts came in two waves, between June 8 and June 21, and again between July 4 and July 6. On July 8, officers patrolling the area spotted a van parked on property adjacent to the cemetery late at night. A canvas of the surroundings turned up garbage cans filled with bronze vases, and evidence recovered at the scene helped point investigators to the suspects.
Detectives also traced up to 100 vases to a scrap‑metal recycling facility in another jurisdiction and recovered them before they were processed or melted down, according to FOX 5 DC. Not exactly the kind of recycling drive families were expecting at a cemetery.
The Legal Angle
Officials noted that Maryland law bars stealing or attempting to sell cemetery bronze items, including memorial vases, markers and plaques, and also prohibits scrap yards from accepting those items, according to the sheriff’s statement. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office says its investigation into the scrap dealer that received the vases is still active and could produce additional leads or charges. Prosecutors will decide whether to file further counts as investigators complete forensic work and follow up on tips.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective K. Dunn at 301‑609‑6571 or Charles County Crime Solvers at 1‑866‑411‑TIPS, or submit a tip through the P3Intel mobile app, per FOX 5 DC. The sheriff’s office says detectives remain on the case and are continuing to follow up on leads.
