UPDATE: Sept. 11 memorial plaque thieves should ‘look into their conscience,’ cops say

Three bronze plaques were discovered stolen Thursday from the Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial and a reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

Just one plaque remains at the Sept. 11 memorial at Mount Mitchell Scenic Overlook in Atlantic Highlands with views of Sandy Hook Bay and New York City. The plaques provide a narrative and timeline of the terrorist attacks that brought down the Twin Towers.

The plaques were bolted and glued to stones alone a timeline walkway leading to the large eagle statue clutching a beam from one of the fallen towers.

Atlantic Highlands police said the theft was believe to have occurred between Wednesday and Thursday.

Three of the plaques, including the one pictured above, recounting the timeline of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were stolen this week from the Monmouth County 9/11 Memorial in Atlantic Highlands.Natalie Paterson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The memorial includes etchings of the names of the 147 Monmouth County residents who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.

The timeline walkway with the bronze plaques is one of the three symbolic components of the memorial.

“It’s appalling," said Ellen Stilletti, of Highlands, who visited the memorial on Friday morning. "I brought my daughter here to show her this and how beautiful it is. It’s really sad someone would stoop to this level.”

Anyone with information may call Atlantic Highlands Police Headquarters at (732) 291-1212. Call may also be made to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers, which will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives. Citizens with information about a crime or fugitive may contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-671-4400, which is a confidential telephone tip-line; they can text "MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

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