Greensboro police seek man accused of vandalizing Veterans Memorial, stealing plaques

Greensboro police are asking for help identifying a man accused of stripping plaques and gold lettering from the Guilford County Veterans Memorial at Country Park, a deliberate act that damaged one of the city’s most visible places of remembrance for veterans past and present.

Investigators said the thefts happened in two separate incidents and involved plaques removed from benches and brick walls at the privately funded memorial, which sits on about one acre at 3905 Nathanael Green Dr. In the first incident, police said eight plaques and about 30 gold letters were taken. Crime scene investigators processed the area and reviewed trail camera footage that showed the suspect in the act, including video of him sitting on a bench with a chisel before leaving after the plaques disappeared.

A second incident was reported June 2 at about 5:33 a.m. Surveillance images reportedly showed the same man removing more plaques. Police said he was wearing shorts that exposed tattoos, including a large cross tattoo on his right calf and another tattoo on his right hand. In earlier footage, the suspect was described as a white man about 40 to 50 years old with a graying beard, wearing a baseball cap, glasses, a hooded sweatshirt, pants, ASICS running shoes, and carrying a backpack and fishing rod.

Investigators estimated the damage and loss from both incidents at more than $3,000, enough to support a felony larceny charge. The repeated thefts were especially jarring because the memorial was dedicated Sept. 14, 2002, and city and tourism materials describe it as a place for reflection, education and thanks. More than 400 personalized paver bricks helped fund the memorial, and current materials say more than 1,000 personalized bricks now honor service members and supporters. Engraved memorial bricks cost $250.

The vandalism also struck while the site was already part of a restoration push. In December 2025, the Greensboro Parks Foundation announced a partnership with the Guilford County Veterans Memorial Board of Directors to support enhancement and restoration of the memorial after storm damage, with plans to modernize and expand the site.

Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers is asking anyone with information to call 336-373-1000, submit a tip through the P3 app or use the group’s website. Anonymous tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 if an arrest is made or property is recovered.