‘It’s like he took a grinder to it’ : Scrap metal business turns in stolen cenotaph plaque

FREDERICTON – The thefts of plaque from two cenotaphs in Fredericton have police on the hunt for who’s responsible.

A plaque was taken from the Barker’s Point Cenotaph on Saturday, Oct.17. It’s replacement value is $3,000.

This week, three plaques went missing from the New Brunswick Provincial Cenotaph in Fredericton. Their replacement value is $10,000.

Fredericton Police say they are actively investigating the thefts.

Best Metals owner Iaan Brown said he believes the Barker’s Point Cenotaph plaque landed at his scrap metal business on Oct. 17.

He said he paid the man $110 for the plaque. Shortly after, he realized what he had received after seeing the plaque on Twitter and the news.

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“This guy completely defaced the plaque,” Brown said. “It’s like he took a grinder to it.”

Brown said the only reason he could identify it was the torch on the right side of the plaque.

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He said the same man came in with several more plaques the following Tuesday, Oct. 20. His employees recognized him and took a picture. Brown also took a picture of the man’s car before he fled.

“He must have sensed it. He threw them in the back of his trunk and sped off.”

Brown reported the incident to police.

Mayor Brad Woodside is urging all local scrap metal dealers to watch for the plaques.