Arrest made in vandalism of 100 graves at Columbia cemetery
Columbia police have arrested a man in connection with the vandalism of more than 100 graves at Greenlawn Memorial Park this weekend.
Justin Scott Beach, 24, was arrested overnight and charged with vandalizing graves/burial grounds, the Columbia Police Department said in a tweet posted around 12:40 a.m. Monday. He is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on a $25,000 bond, according to the Columbia Police Department.
Details were limited, but Beach is accused in the vandalism of more than 100 gravesites at the Lower Richland cemetery. Officials said that sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning, someone dislodged or knocked over vases, scattered or shredded flowers, displaced American flags and even shredded some of the flags.
The park’s general manager said it looked like a “mini tornado” swept through parts of the park, which is located off Garners Ferry Road near Interstate 77 and is one of the largest cemeteries in Columbia.
Greenlawn will hold a flag replacement ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday to replace the American flags that were damaged or taken. The brief ceremony will happen at the center of the park and include members of the armed services.
Police estimated the damage to be more than $10,000.
The park said Sunday night it will replace the vases and flowers and host a cookout for the community on Saturday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
GREENLAWN MEMORIAL PARK ANNOUNCES PLANS TO ADDRESS VANDALISM AND THANK COMMUNITY
In a press release Sunday night, cemetery management announced that it will replace the vases and flowers damaged or destroyed in the vandalism and host a cookout for the community.
On Saturday, July 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., family members can pick out new flowers and American flags at the cemetery and join with the greater community at a cookout.
From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the cemetery will play host to a community cookout hosted by Greenlawn to express thanks and appreciation to families and members of the community “who have shown tremendous kindness in their efforts to assist in the restoration of the memorial park.”
People who wish to donate funds to the cost of replacing the flowers are asked to check the Greenlawn Memorial Park Facebook page as plans are still being coordinated.
This story was originally published July 3, 2017 at 1:18 AM with the headline "Arrest made in vandalism of 100 graves at Columbia cemetery."