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Police: 20 Tombstones Knocked Over In Church's Cemetery

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Nearly two dozen tombstones were knocked over in a church's cemetery in the Bustleton section of Philadelphia.

Police say 20 tombstones were knocked over in the cemetery at Memorial Church of St. Luke at 1946 Welsh Road.

Authorities received a call around 10 a.m. on Tuesday about the vandalism.

Church member Thomas Truesdale questions who would knock over tombstones.

St. Luke tombstones
Tombstones were toppled at a cemetery at the Memorial Church of St. Luke. (credit: CBS3)

"What kind of person could do this? Who could do this? Why would you want to desecrate a cemetery? I don't know. I was repeating that all day, why?" said Truesdale.

Police have collected evidence from the scene and are continuing to investigate.

John Litzke says his entire family is buried in the cemetery. Their stones were toppled when he arrived Tuesday morning.

"They would be devastated," he said.

The church was constructed in 1861. Litzke says his grandparents were married in the church in 1891.

"I still am angry and that's why I would like to find out who did this and why they did it and would they be man enough to come do it in the daylight and meet me here where they could be seen," Litzke told Eyewitness News.

Earlier this year, two Jewish cemeteries in Philadelphia had tombstones knocked over.

If you have any information, call Philadelphia Police immediately. You can remain anonymous.

 

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