A daring theft in Elkhart

[September 04, 2013]  ELKHART -- Described as audacious, a thief or thieves defaced the small chapel in Elkhart Cemetery, known as the St. John the Baptist Chapel or Gillett Chapel, sometime over the weekend. The copper downspouts on this historic building were ripped off the building and carted away.

The chapel was built in 1890 for John D. Gillett. It annually hosts a Christmas candlelight service on the first Saturday in December. The chapel is a beautiful Gothic-style building and is a much-beloved location for weddings, baptisms and funerals. These events can be booked by phoning the chapel trustee, Lisa Pasquesi.

Pasquesi and the board are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved in the theft. Anyone with information about the incident can contact Pasquesi at 217-947-2346.

[As reported to LDN]