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Jul 24, 2008 9:40 am US/Eastern

Police: 'Punk Kids' Vandalize Historic Cemetery

COLLINGDALE, Penn. (CBS) ―

Authorities are blaming children for a series of vandalisms that have recently plagued the historic Eden Cemetery in Collingdale, Pa.

Over the past two weeks, 201 headstones have been toppled in the historic African American cemetery that dates back over a century, reports CBS station KYW-TV in Philadelphia.

"This is devastating to families," said Junious Rhone of Eden Cemetery. "We just want to apologize to all of the families that have relatives here."

According to police, the accounts appear to be "random" and are most likely the work of "punk kids with nothing better to do."

Authorities assume it was a group, the heavy stones that weigh hundreds of pounds a piece had to be moved by more than one individual.

An ongoing investigation began Monday, after a man found that his father's grave in the Lester Martin section of the cemetery had been vandalized.

In addition to looking for suspects, police are also organizing a grass roots effort to aid construction crews in resetting the headstones.

The notable cemetery is the final resting place for prominent figures like singer Marian Anderson, as well as William Still, often referred to as "the father of the Underground Railroad."

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.