Flower shop owner steals plants from graves in cemetery to sell in her store

Lynda Wingate

The owner of a flower shop stole plants from a cemetery and sold them at her store, according to police in New Jersey.Pequannock Township police said that they have arrested 59-year-old Lynda Wingate, after being accused of stealing numerous plants. She has been charged with theft. According to the criminal complaint, over the past several months, the Pequannock Township police department has received multiple reports of flowers, plants and other items that have been stolen from graves at the First Reformed Church Cemetery in Pompton Plains. Det. Kevin Ricciardi, assisted by other members of the detective bureau, initiated an investigation, which included replacing two of the missing plants and installing surveillance cameras in the area. Two days later, the property managers of the cemetery contacted detectives to report that the plants were missing.
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, Wingate was arrested. Area residents were relieved to hear about the arrest.
A victim said: “It is discouraging, frustrating and disappointing to think that someone would commit such an unconscionable act. I hope this arrest serves as a deterrent to possible future thefts. I look forward to putting live flowers at the grave for Mother's Day, and hopefully this time they'll stay there.”
Anthony Saul said: “Very happy to hear this! I stopped buying flowers because they would go missing!”