A St. Albans man was arrested Sunday, December 4 for trying to sell Veteran Grave Markers.
On October 21, the Williston Police Department responded to All Metals Recycling in Williston for a report of James Perron, 36, of St. Albans trying to sell 34 brass Grave Markers used to identify the graves of war veterans. The markers were unlawfully obtained, police said.
On December 4, Perron was taken into custody and released with a citation to appear in court on January 12 for the charge of Grave markers and Ornaments attempt to sell (13 VSA 3766), which is a felony. This investigation was conducted by the Williston Police Department with the assistance of the St. Albans Police City Department.
One of the bronze grave markers indicates “The Grand Army of the Republic.” The GAR was the name of a Civil War veterans’ group. It is not known which cemetery the markers were stolen from.
Categories: Crime
It’s encouraging to see businesses that make an effort to contact law enforcement when approached with stolen property. Unfortunately, too many are complicit in rewarding criminals and perpetuating the cycle of crime by purchasing property that is obviously stolen.
What a dirt bag !
Fair Sarah Jorge says we need to have a restorative justice session in the graveyard so the old veterans can speak and Jimmy can understand how his “negative energy” may be bad but its not his fault..Jimmy will get off (Phil) scott free and next week will be selling tombstones to use as patio pavers in Stowe.
I would like to think that this would be an example of activity that has to make it tough for those people who advocate on behalf of the”victimhood” of junkies…but those folks probably dont hold those whose graves were robbed in nearly as high esteem as they do the junkies. Hopefully all of those markers will find their way back to their place of reverence…and hopefully that pathetic piece of crap who desecrated them for their scrap value will meet up with some righteous karma, but he wont get it from the Chittenden County State’s Attorney, that’s for sure.
I think we might all agree that this case is an example of a grave social problem, or, rather, several: people who are involved in drugs commit crimes against their own society; drug abuse is a scourge in most of our communities (for various reasons too many to enumerate here); the social glue that is supposed to make us cohere and to impel us NOT to commit such crimes is in bad shape (again, for too many reasons); and, perhaps (to my mind) the most egregious issue of all: we aren’t, as a society, making sure that everyone has at least the basic needs of life available to them. Not saying that the accused should have it all on a silver platter, as my grandparents used to say, but it does strike me that the people committing most crimes (with the exception of white-collar crimes like embezzlement, bribery, and taking donations from lobbyists) are mostly people whose lives are, and have always been, difficult if not impossible, and full of ineradicable sadness and despair. If we really believed in the land of the free, we’d make sure that nobody in the USA had to live without decent housing, affordable health care (by that I mean universal, government-supported and -mandated health care), a living wage (if working), and a decent education, including vocational training and re-training. AND people should have green spaces to enjoy, and paid sick time, and something to hope for in the future.
I’m sorry but the basic needs of life ARE available for those that don’t make bad choices in their lives. When you decide to take that first hit of Heroin you have drastically changed the out come of your life. It can be reversed but it isn’t easy.
what about people who were forced into using heroin? That wasn’t their choice.
Grave social problem?
This guy was able enough to walk through cemeteries collecting brass to sell. If he is able enough for that he is able enough to get a job and support himself. Taxpayers and victims are tired of the bleeding hearts who whine about how hard life is for people. Life is hard for most of us, get over it. The more welfare the state hands out, the more people flock to Vermont to collect it. And while they’re not busy working, they are committing crimes, taking drugs and creating messes for others to pay for and clean up. Welfare should be handled like it used to be, in each town. The authorities knew who needed help and provided it. This guys punishment should be to take care of a few cemeteries next summer with no pay. Community service!
I myself experience invisible disability. It is not an illusion nor a “copout”. Nevertheless, I haven’t shoplifted or burglarized.
How do we go about bringing back the stocks and public flailing?
We live in America, better than that vermont. There are opportunities to better ones self everywhere if you make good choices.
Why is that message undervalued by so many? Could it be they lack the courage and conviction to deliver tough love?
A civil society, has always been messy. It works well when the majority of citizens take personal responsibility for their lives, their families and their communities. Citizens must be compelled to do the hard work, and make sacrifices that benefit them in the long run. Appreciating they will be held accountable, personally and publicly if they don’t.
Only then, as a last resort should government be offered and accepted.
Systemic hand outs and coddling drag down society and lead to more of the same.
This is disgraceful and heartrending.