Oswego Man Charged with Stealing Vases from Cemetery, Many Other Charges

An Oswego man and a Sugar Grove man have been charged on multiple counts following the theft of bronze vases from a Kendall County Cemetery.

The incident began on Aug. 28, 2013 when Kendall County Sheriff’s deputies went to the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 700 block of Route 30, Aurora, for the report of the possible theft of bronze cemetery vases.

They found that over 100 vases, used to place flowers at the gravesite, had been stolen. They are valued at more than $500 a piece.

Following an investigation two men, David Ryan, 29, of Oswego and Vincent Teruel, 33, of Sugar grove were found to be suspects after a number of stolen vases were recovered.

It was found that Ryan was wanted on an active warrant out of the Montgomery Police Department for retail theft, and on Sept. 11 Sheriff’s deputies attempted to apprehend him in the 100 block of Route 30, unincorporated Aurora where it was determined the two men were living. However, after being met with physical resistance the men escaped.

Deputies provided Chicago Police with information that led to Ryan and Teruel’s arrest for a similar theft in progress at the Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 block of North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago.

Both were charged in Cook County with theft and Teruel was also charged with possession of burglary tools and a controlled substance.

Further investigation then led to both being charged in Kendall County on Sept. 30 with the unlawful vandalization of a grave (class 2 felony) and theft (class 3 felony). Ryan’s bond was set at $75,000 with 10 percent applying and Teruel’s bond was set at $100,000 with 10 percent applying.

Ryan was also charged with aggravated battery to a police officer (class 2 felony), and resisting a police officer (class A misdemeanor) from the attempted apprehension on Sept. 11. In this incident his bond was set at $100,000 with 10 percent applying.

Teruel was also charged for that incident with aggravated assault (class 3 felony), obstructing a police officer and driving with a revoked license (both class A misdemeanors). His bond was also set at $100,000 with 10 percent applying.

The Sheriff’s office was able to recover a large number of bronze vases, and following court proceedings will try to return the items to their rightful owners.

Both are in custody at the Cook County Correctional Center awaiting their next court appearance.