Two teens charged with vandalizing gravestones in Riverside

RIVERSIDE – Two teens have been charged with vandalizing over 30 gravestones at Mt. Olive Cemetery in Riverside.

Collin Culver, of Ottumwa and Jacob Creamer, of Ainsworth, both 16, were charged with second-degree criminal mischief after allegedly causing over $5,000 of damage at the cemetery on May 15, the Washington County sheriff's office says.

The Gazette reported in May that almost 100 gravestones, mostly from the oldest section of the cemetery, at Mt. Olive were vandalized in total.

Many headstones were tall and either knocked off their bases or pushed over. Crosses also appeared to have been pried off the top of stones and smashed. Some urns were kicked off of graves in the newer section of the cemetery, scattering flowers.

Jim Rose, a St. Mary's parish council member told The Gazette in May that repairs will be made to the affected section of the cemetery, but it is uncertain where the money will come from.

“I'm angry,” Rose said. “I personally have one to fix - my aunt's stone.”