POST FALLS - Metal thefts have taken a new twist in Post Falls.

Five metal plaques with emblems of each branch of the military were pried from the concrete base of a memorial at Q'emiln Riverside Park sometime between Monday and Friday last week, police say.

The crime happened with Veterans Day coming up on Nov. 11.

Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug said the vandalism/theft is sickening, and two detectives have been assigned to the case part-time.

"It defaces the idea of honoring our military," Haug said.

The plaques are 2 inches thick and 15 inches in diameter.

It's unclear what type of metal they are made of, but city officials originally believed the plaques are brass, which would make them valued at an estimated $700 each.

They are also not ruling out aluminum, based on their conversation with a member of the Post Falls Lions Club, which installed the plaques in 2001 as part of the club's dedication of the pavilion. Post Falls Parks and Recreation Director Dave Fair estimated the value of the plaques - if aluminum - at $275 each.

Haug said detectives are reviewing video footage at the park in pursuit of a suspect or vehicle description.

Fair said metal thefts have been commonplace in recent years with high metal prices. Farms, businesses, utility firms and cemeteries have been among the places targeted, but military plaques from a park are a new twist.

"It's sad, but it's a sign of the times," Fair said. "Whoever is buying from (the suspects) is well aware of what's going on."

Fair said the plaques were affixed to the concrete with liquid nails. He said it would have taken a tool such as a crowbar to pry them from the memorial.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Lt. Stu Miller said that agency has experienced a decline in overall metal thefts in recent months. But such crime persists, and it appears the targeted products are changing from wire.

"Now the trend is to steal wheels, batteries and other similar items," Miller said.

Crime Stoppers of the Inland Northwest is offering a reward for information leading to the conviction of the military plaque theft suspects. The agency does not list the reward amount.

Those with information on the incident are urged to contact Post Falls Police at 773-3517 or leave an anonymous tip at www.postfallspolice.com.