Authorities say nearly 60 vases have been taken from the Sawnee View Gardens cemetery. The thefts took place last weekend, probably on Sunday night.

The sheriff's department got the call on Monday, after a cemetery employee received phone calls from people whose loved ones are interred at the cemetery. They reported the vases that adorned the graves were gone.

Cemetery owner Georgia Ingram says such thefts are rare in Georgia, but are fairly common elsewhere.

"I understand in Florida this is a really, really big thing down there," Ingram tells WSB. "Thieves are going into these perpetual care cemeteries with bronze on them and just lifting the bronze off of them to sell for scrap metal."

Ingram says the sheriff's office has increased patrols around the cemetery, which is north of Cumming on Dahlonega Highway. His staff is also spending more time examining the grounds.

"We're considering putting security cameras up, right away," Ingram says.

The cemetery is the final resting place for baseball Hall of Famer Luke Appling, and for comedian Alvin "Junior" Samples, of the TV show "Hee Haw."

June 20, 2008