3 Welland men charged after items stolen from 289 grave sites

Niagara police have charged three men after items from 289 grave sites were stolen.

Police began investigating a reported theft from Pleasantview Cemetery on August 2.

They discovered the items had likely been stolen from the cemetery over several days.

On Tuesday, police arrested four people and located much of the stolen property.

“Some property had been damaged beyond repair,” said Niagara police in a news release. “The loss incurred by the thefts affected not only the business, but the families of the respective grave sites as well.”

Joshua Hillgardner, 46, Joseph Gaulin, 48, and William Ostermaier, 33, are facing charged in connection with the thefts.

A fourth Welland resident was arrested but released unconditionally.