Overview
- Police say 151 graves and urn niches at Monheim’s Waldfriedhof were forcibly opened overnight, scattering flowers, vases and grave lights.
- Dutch officers later stopped a car at a border crossing in Kreis Viersen with Mettmann plates and found several urns and copper items.
- Two suspects, aged 16 and 23, were detained, the vehicle was seized and the recovered materials were secured as evidence.
- City officials closed the opened compartments in the newer columbarium behind the cemetery building and are coordinating next steps with police.
- Prosecutors opened investigations for disturbance of the dead and a particularly serious theft, with further municipal updates expected Monday.