Damage found at historic Orange cemetery

Photo: Damaged property was found at Hebrew Rest Cemetery, 2100 8th Street in the Brownwood area of Orange. The incident occurred Monday morning. The Orange Police Department is asking for the public's help with any information.

RECORD PHOTO: David Ball

David Ball

For The Record

An unpleasant surprise was made Monday at a cemetery in Orange.

Damaged property was found at Hebrew Rest Cemetery, 2100 8th Street in the Brownwood area of Orange. Capt. Robert Enmon, with the Orange Police Department, is asking for the public's assistance in solving the case. Enmon said the incident could had happened in August because the groundskeeper was prevented from doing maintenance at the cemetery due to rain.

"We suspect it kids who did this," he said. "There's not broken gate for fence. They either went under or over the fence. There's a lot of kids there who ride their bikes. We're asking for security camera footage, but we haven't received any yet."

The incident was reported to the OPD at 10:22 a.m. on Monday, October 29 about damaged property, according to a report written by Officer Grant McLen.

McLean wrote he was sent in reference to criminal mischief. When he arrived, he met with Judy Spector at the cemetery entrance. She said someone damaged the property at the private cemetery.

Spector said at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, the groundskeeper, Mark Lemoine, told her about the damage to the cemetery. She saw several damaged items inside the cemetery. Only she and the groundskeeper have access to the cemetery and it's been "a considerable amount of time since anyone had scheduled a visit to the cemetery."

Lemoine said the last time he was at the cemetery was in August. Furthermore, he was able to point out further damage to the cemetery.

Spector said Hebrew Rest Cemetery didn't give anyone permission to damage to its property and they wish to pursue charges. Spector added that she didn't give permission for anyone to damage her family's property and she wished to pursue charges.

Those who have information about this incident may call either call the OPD at 409-883-1026 or Crime Stoppers at 409-833-TIPS.