EVANS MILLS, NY — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has received numerous complaints this week regarding thefts of flowers and ornaments from the Evans Mills Cemetery.
Aided by a theft victim who installed a trail camera, deputies were able to obtain images of a suspect and vehicle.
With this information deputies located stolen property at the residence of Shannon Rounseville, 45, of Wealtha Avenue, Watertown.
Rounseville, a parolee, was identified as the suspect in the images and was subsequently charged with three counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and a single count of second-degree cemetery desecration, all misdemeanors.
Roundseville was arraigned by City of Watertown Judge Neddo and released on her own recognizance with appearances pending in City Court on June 18 and Town of LeRay Court on June 20.
More charges are pending, deputies said.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by New York State Division of Parole.
The Sheriff’s Office is also attempting to identify the owners of other flowers and ornaments observed and/or seized during this investigation.
If you are the victim of a recent cemetery theft, contact dispatch at (315) 786-2601 or send us a message on our Facebook page, @JeffCoSheriffNY.
