Pocono News Section

Cemetery Vandals Arrested

Cemetery Vandals Arrested - Friday, May 1, 2009 at 5:30PM EST

MONTOUR COUNTY -- Police call the crime shocking. Four cemeteries in Montour County were desecrated last month. Now, police arrest five people in connection with the vandalism.

Laurie Jones, a 19-year-old from Danville, tells us she got caught up with the wrong crowd when she went out with four others on a vandalism spree.

Her friend, 19-year-old Alicia Auman of Selinsgrove showed up at district court in Millville carrying her 8-month-old daughter. She blames Jones for the crimes.

"She's the one who got me in trouble," said Auman. We asked her if she had anything to do with the vandalism, to which she said, "No comment."

Police say Auman and two 17-year-olds toppled nearly 40 headstones at the Mooresburg United Methodist Church Cemetery in Liberty Township. American flags were thrown to the ground. Eight grave markers were spray painted with obscenities.

"Some of those markings are going to be on those gravestones from now until forever," said Trooper Matt Burrows.

Investigators say Jones drove two younger teenagers to three cemeteries in Mahoning Township. The three sit side-by-side off Bloom Road. More than 40 headstones were toppled there.

Police say the crime spree outraged people in Montour County.

"If you think about it, they desecrated God, country, and family," added Tpr. Burrows. "The stones were overturned, painted and vandalized, and there were flags involved."

Auman couldn't post bail and was taken to jail. She faces a long list of felony and misdemeanor charges. She could face up to 51 years in prison and $110,000 in fines if found guilty on all counts.

Jones posted bail and hopes to keep her full-time job with the state at Selinsgrove Center.

Both are due back in court next week.