CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS — Losing a loved one can be tough and having items stolen from your loved ones headstone can bring even more heartbreak.
The Holy Cross Cemetery was hit by vandals which has affected one local family.
Martha Ruiz says she was lost for words when thieves took the Blessed Mother statue from her parents headstone.
"You can’t put a price tag on it, it means a great deal to us,” says Ruiz.
Officers with the Corpus Christi Police Department say this is a felony and if found guilty from stealing from a place of burial, you could face jail time and or a $10,000 fine.
Police say if this were to happen to you, take pictures which can help the authorities.
“If you have a loved one’s site is take pictures of it, and if something happens to it you have a recording of what it looked like prior to the incident,” says CCPD officer Travis Pace.
This is exactly what Ruiz did and the pictures caused an uproar on social media which lead to a helpful tip.
Ruiz and her husband were advised to check out the front yard on 18th and Coleman located on the Westside of Corpus Christi.
The couple found the heavy marble statue and was able to retrieve the figure to where it belongs.
“Just realize this is a very sacred place our loved ones are buried here. Have some respect for them,” says Ruiz.
The Holy Cross Cemetery is owned by the Diocese of Corpus Christi and Ruiz says she’s working with them and the groundskeeper on when they can place the statue back on the headstone.
So far, no arrests or charges have been made.
