By Daniel Pye<br><a href="mailto:pyed@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dan</a>
After nearly a year and a half, City of Tonawanda police have found the man they believe stole two stone markers from the Historical Society of the Tonawandas just one day before a Veterans Day celebration.
James A. Ramsey, 42, 128 Fletcher St., Apartment 6, was charged at 1 a.m. Sunday with petit larceny for the theft, which outraged community members and veterans organizations.
On the morning of Nov. 11, 2008, society member Dick Dutton arrived at the circle of 26 stones early to make sure all of the American flags were in place for a ceremony. He found that two were missing and called police to report the theft.
“That was just a dirty thing,” Dutton said.
Investigators thoroughly searched nearby roads and backyards, to no avail. Months of subsequent police work turned up few leads. Last July, after months of holding out hope for the stones’ return, historical society members accepted Elmlawn Cemetery’s offer to replace the stones.
But even after more than a year of work with little evidence to go on, the police department wasn’t ready to give up the case. Capt. James Litz, one of many officers who took the theft personally, let people know that no matter how long it would take, the department would find the stones.
“We’re not done with it,” Litz said in 2008. “These guys give their lives for us and someone steals a memorial to them. That’s really upset a lot of officers.”
Early this month, new information led police to Ramsey’s apartment, 200 feet from the historical society. Lt. Fred Foels said Ramsey initially denied being involved in the theft and invited police to search his apartment.
Once that search turned up neither of the stones, officers questioned Ramsey further. Foels said the suspect continued to deny that he had anything to do with the theft, but eventually told officers that he threw one of the stones onto the railroad tracks near East Niagara Street. The other, Ramsey claimed, is at a campground in Brookville, Pa., where his father lives.
When asked why he stole them, Ramsey told police he was “pissed at America,” according to reports.
Police searched the area around East Niagara Street on March 6 with no results, but the local stone was recovered the next day in Fireman’s Park. Foels said the stone seems to be in good condition. And even though the other stone might not be as easy to find, the department is still checking Ramsey’s story.
“They’re in the stages of checking an area where he camps in Brookville,” Foels said.
Ramsey is being held in lieu of $250 bail and will appear in court this morning. Dutton said the historical society hasn’t decided exactly what to do with the stones if they get them back, but is sure people will be happy to hear that the culprit has been found.
“There were a lot of people involved in this, including veterans organizations,” Dutton said. “Everybody wants a piece of this guy.”
Contact reporter Daniel Pyeat 693-1000, ext. 158.
