FRANKLIN COUNTY, Iowa — Two people have been arrested in connection to cemetery thefts across several northern Iowa counties.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, two people have been arrested following an extensive investigation involving the disappearance of grave and historical site markers.

Authorities say reports of the missing markers began around a month ago and were reported from multiple rural and city cemeteries across Franklin County. Officers say markers were also reported missing from Butler County and Cerro Gordo County.

According to police, two search warrants were executed on Friday afternoon at homes on 4th Avenue Northwest in Hampton and Pine Street in Dumont.

Following the search warrant two individuals were charged.

44-year-old Brandon Smith from Hampton has been charged with,

• Theft in the first degree
• Criminal Mishcief in the first degree
• Theft in the fourth degree

34-year-old Lauren Johnson from Dumont has been charged with,

• Theft in the first degree

Authorities say two additional suspects have been identified, and charges related to the series of crimes are pending.