Michael Thomas Dickinson, 19, of Waterford Township and Jonathan Lawrence Matthews, 17, of Pontiac face charges in the Sashabaw Plains Cemetery vandalism case.
About 30 gravestones were knocked over or damaged at the cemetery, 5331 Maybee Road, on Aug. 21. Estimated cost is $54,499.
Dickinson and Matthews were arraigned on vandalism charges in 52-2 District Court.
Independence Township Supervisor Pat Kittle said the township will find out if the suspects? parents have homeowners insurance.
‘If they don’t have insurance, this is why we have insurance in the township,? Kittle said.
He added the headstones will be replaced with the type of material they were made from. One company the township consulted said they do not work with sandstone, so other companies are being sought.
‘Either way, the responsible parties will be putting a whole lot of hours in that cemetery,? the supervisor said. ‘They will be doing a lot of community service.?
Investigation continues.
? Andrea Beaudoin