The City of Ava is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for vandalism to headstones in the Ava Cemetery last week.
Ten headstones were spray painted, some with vulgar wording, and have since been cleaned up.
Most of the vandalism occurred in the old section of the cemetery on the southeast side, according to Police Chief Reggie Johnson.
Personnel from Chaney Monuments sandblasted the paint from the stones on Friday.
It is believed the vandalism occurred sometime Tuesday or Wednesday of last week, although the city cannot pinpoint exactly when it did occur, Johnson said.
In the meantime, the city will be closing the gates to the cemetery at dark every evening and anyone in the cemetery after dark will be subject to arrest according to the city ordinances.
