One flower shop owner from Pequannock Township, N.J., got creative with her inventory. Police had been receiving reports that flowers and plants were going missing from First Reformed Church Cemetery in Pompton Plains. To address the issue, they installed security cameras and replaced two plants in front of an ash columbarium. Soon after, they received a call from the property managers of the cemetery with news.
According to the news release by the Pequannock Police:
Detectives viewed the still photos from the surveillance cameras and were able to observe a woman approach the location in a silver minivan, exit the vehicle and remove the plants. In discussing the case with members of the Riverdale Police Department, their officers were able to positively identify the suspect from video footage, as a former police dispatcher and current flower shop owner from their town. As a result of the evidence and positive identification, Lynda S. Wingate, 59 years old from Riverdale, was arrested and processed. Ms. Wingate was charged with theft of moveable property and released. She has a pending appearance in municipal court.
While police cannot verify that Ms. Wingate was selling the stolen plants in her flower shop, Lyncrafts & Floral Designs, it is presumed to be the case.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member