On June 16, 2021, Marshalltown Police Department received a call regarding suspicious items had been turned in for scrap at Gervich and Sons Inc, 901 East Nevada Street. Employees noticed that a large amount of grave monument vases were turned in for scrap, to include a large headstone marker made from bronze. Officers checked with local cemeteries to see if anyone by the engraved name had plots on their property. Rose Hill Cemetery identified the head stone plaque belonged in their cemetery. The value of the of the headstone vases are unknown at this time, as it is unknown exactly where they came from. The headstone marker is valued at $8272.00.
Officers identified the man who had brought items to the recycle business over the past week. Larry Lester Kunc Jr, age 43, of Marshalltown, was subsequently charged with Theft 2nd (Class D Felony) for the headstone marker and Criminal Mischief 3rd (Aggravated Misdemeanor). Kunc is held in the Marshall County Jail with a $7000.00 bond after his initial appearance.
At this time the Marshalltown Police Department is asking for the public assistance in checking loved one’s graves for additional damage or missing flower vases. Some of the vases that were taken were stone or acrylic, and not metal. If there are vases found to be missing, and they can be identified, officers and Gervich and Sons Inc would like to return those to the owners. Additional charges are pending as this investigation is ongoing in nature.
Please contact the Marshalltown Police Department at 641.754.5725 if you have any information in this case, or would like to report damage to your loved one’s graves or headstones.
AUTHORITY: Sergeant Andy Cole (acole@marshalltown-ia.gov or 641.754.5725).
(A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.)