Two men were arrested when they were caught stealing tombstones at a graveyard in Mabopane, Pretoria on Wednesday.

Tshwane metro police (TMPD) spokesperson Senior Superintendent Isaac Mahamba says the TMPD received a complaint about people stealing tombstones from graves.

He says the officers responded to the information and ‘upon arrival, two men were found carrying tombstones’.

Mahamba says the security guards showed the officers other tombstones the men damaged.

“The officers called the number that was engraved on the tombstones and the company selling them confirmed that most of their old tombstones had been stolen,” says Mahamba.

“Upon further questioning of the suspects, the officers discovered that the suspects steal old tombstones, refurbish them and sell them at a cheaper price.

“When they extract the tombstones, they already have a customer who showed them the design they want.”

The two suspects were arrested for damage to property and violation of graveyard regulations.