Manchester Township graveyard thief arrested by police

The Ocean County man accused of stealing over 700 bronze vases worth about $175,000.00 near graves at Whiting Memorial Park on Route 530 and then selling them for scrap has been arrested.

Manchester Police confirmed the apprehension of John H. White,46, late Monday night.

White, who has addressed in Manchester, Jackson and Lakewood had been criminally charged ahead of his capture with theft, desecration of venerated objects and criminal mischief.

"We would like to thank the Jackson Twp. Police Dept. for assisting us with a tip we received this evening," Manchester Police said on Facebook. "John H. White was arrested without incident. Also, a big thank you to everyone that sent in a tip or called in with information to aid in locating him."

White allegedly stole about 3,000 pounds of bronze, or about 494 vases, and brought them to two local scrap yards sometime around January 24.

Approximately 450 vases were recovered as a result of the investigation.

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