The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Leslie Donald Harrison, 46, Bethany, for stealing 16 bronze headstone plates from the Bethel Cemetery near Pattonsburg, and causing property damage by damaging the headstones. Harrison was also charged with possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance, (methamphetamine), and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
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Leslie Donald Harrison
According to a probable cause statement, on Monday, June 29, Deputy Robert Mazur received a tip at about 10:30 a.m. that Harrison was attempting to sell the bronze plates as scrap metal. Shortly after, the deputy located a Green Ford Ranger leaving a driveway on Lilac Avenue; the pickup matched the description he’d received from the tip.
As he approached the pickup during the traffic stop, the deputy observed multiple bronze plates in the bed of the truck. He also discovered during the course of his investigation that Harrison had a black glove shoved down his shorts. Upon searching the glove, Deputy Mazur discovered a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance which appeared to be methamphetamine, a clear plastic bag containing a green leafy substance which appeared to be marijuana, and a glass pipe which appeared to have burnt methamphetamine residue inside of it.
Further investigation revealed that 16 bronze headstone plates were removed from various headstones, vaults, and monuments in Bethel Cemetery, which is located east of Pattonsburg off of Route C on a gravel road. According to the probable cause statement, Harrison knowingly damaged headstones while removing the bronze markers.
The Prosecuting Attorney brought charges of stealing and property damage on behalf of the following: Lyle K. Phelps; Leonard Jarrett McClung; W.F. Gotschall; Dorothy McClung Everist; Marion Wilkinson; Richard E. Bush; Bruce W. Everist Sr.; Dr. Anna Henry McClung; Robert Brice Morris; Otho D. Morris; Roy Edward Morris; Hattie R. Morris; Oscar P. Meadows; W.M. Auldridge Morris; Leota E. Morris and Myrtle L. Palmer, which property was owned by them.
In total, the bronze headstone plates are valued at about $16,000. The approximate cost to reattach the plates is about $4,000, bringing the total value to approximately $20,000.
The Bethel Cemetery board has been notified by the sheriff, and efforts are being made to contact descendants of those affected.
The sheriff’s office said every effort will be made to return the bronze plates as soon as possible.
Harrison was placed under arrest and transported to the Daviess DeKalb County Regional Jail on a 24 hour investigative hold for issuance of a warrant.
The Daviess County Coroner David McWilliams assisted the sheriff’s office with the investigation.
Any information regarding this matter should be shared with the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department at 660-663-2031.