Two teens accused of driving ATVs through cemetery

Written by Lancaster Eagle-Gazette

Monday, December 06, 2010

Michelle George

Two 14-year-old boys are accused of driving ATVs through a local cemetery.

Fairfield County sheriff’s deputies responded to Royalton Cemetery, 8514 Royalton Road, Lancaster around 3 p.m. Saturday after an anonymous caller informed them that two juveniles were trespassing in the cemetery, according to the Fairfield County sheriff’s report.

The deputy questioned the two boys, who both admitted to driving through the cemetery on an ATV even after the grandfather of one of the boys told them not to.

Deputies reported ATV tracks through the cemetery but no damage to the headstones.

“They pretty much just drove around the gravestones,” said Fairfield County Sheriff’s Deputy Carl Lape, who responded to the scene Saturday.

Both juveniles were released to the custody of their parents Saturday, but the Amanda Township trustees could still press charges.

The trustees are considered to be the guardians of the property, which lies in Amanda Township, according to the report.

Amanda Township Trustee Jim Miller was informed Monday of Saturday’s incident and said he does not know if the trustees will press charges.

He said there have been reports in the past of problems in the cemetery, even though “No Trespassing” signs are posted near the property.

“We’ve received complaints from neighbors about four-wheelers crossing through the cemetery and that sort of thing,” he said.

Lape said he’s also aware the cemetery has been the target of vandals before.

“You can see where kids went through in the past and caused some damage to the gravestones,” he said.

Source: http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20101206/UPDATES01/101206007

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

State by State Momentum

Community Voices

“During the past decade, I have personally had six out of seven elk hunts ruined by the careless intrusions of ATV operators. This epidemic has forced me to abandon one prime hunting area after another, only to encounter the same situation elsewhere. The shameful part of this picture is that the overwhelming majority of these ATV’ers are young and healthy, not decrepit or physically challenged. Maybe these riders would be more respectful of other people's outdoor experience if they knew we could ID them."

- Bill Sustrich, Colorado Backcountry Hunters and Anglers