News

Mysterious vandalism case at Bottineau local cemetery

By Scott Wagar

08/26/2014

For the second year in a row vandalism has taken place at Oak Creek Cemetery where the focus of the crimes has been placed on one family plot.

According to David Hoff, head grounds keeper at Oak Creek Cemetery, Leo Zorn’s headstone and military footstone were spray painted black where his name was written on the stones.

In October of last year, the back of Zorn’s headstone was defaced with profanities from spray paint.

Both times when these incidents happen, Hoff and his assistants have been able to clean the stones with little or no appearance of the black paint being on the stone.

Hoff said that he is not pleased with what has taken place these past two years with Zorn’s headstone and military stone.

“It is very frustrating that someone has done this to the same stone twice within a year,” Hoff said. “I am very disappointed for the family as they have to be very frustrated with this damage.”

According to Bottineau County Sheriff Steve Watson, the incidents are under investigation. Individuals, who know anything about these crimes, are encouraged to call Sheriff Watson at 228-2740.