A $1,000 reward is being offered for information to catch the vandals who knocked over dozens of headstones dating back to 1810 in the Sashabaw Plains Cemetery.
“They damaged many of the graves of the founders of Clarkston, including the Maybee, Beardslee, and Sashabaw families,” said Ron Hudson, who was walking in the cemetery on Maybee Road at Mary Sue Drive in Independence Township.
Hudson, whose aunt and uncle are buried in the cemetery, heard the news and came to have a look himself.
Oakland County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating suspects based on tips from concerned citizens and evidence found at the scene, said Lt. Dirk Feneley, Independence Township Substation commander.
Deputies were called to the cemetery at 2:33 p.m., Aug. 21, and found head stones broken and scattered about.
Sashabaw Plains burials began mostly around 1836, but it was not until 1849 that residents officially formed the cemetery.
The cemetery is owned by Independence Township. Anyone with information is asked to call the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at 248-858-4911.