Search Underway For Vandals In Damage At Cemetery

FABENS, Texas (AP) — Investigators are trying to determine who caused about $125,000 in damage to a West Texas cemetery by vandalizing as many as 50 graves.

Cleanup and repairs were planned Tuesday at the La Isla (luh EES'-luh) Cemetery in Fabens (FAY'-binz). It's managed by Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

The El Paso County Sheriff's Office says deputies early Sunday responded to a report of criminal mischief at the cemetery, which has about 250 graves. Authorities discovered dozens of vandalized headstones and burial plots damaged. Part of the iron entrance gate was pushed down.

Similar vandalism happened in early November.

Elizabeth O'Hara of the Diocese of El Paso says officials are considering raising the exterior walls of the cemetery and getting electronic surveillance.