I spent the early part of my shift today wandering through the Hildreth Cemetery on Hildreth Street in Lowell, where some total idiot, or idiots, vandalized roughly 150 gravestones sometime this week.

The damage, which includes toppled and broken stones, some of which were nearly 200 years old, was discovered Sunday morning by Officer Corey Erickson, who noticed a headstone was toppled as he patrolled past the cemetery.

Catherine Goodwin, of Chelmsford, who has written a book about the Lowell Cemetery and given tours there, tells me the Hildreth Cemetery is one of the oldest in the area.

The even more historic private cemetery just behind the Hildreth Cemetery, where Civil War generals Benjamin Butler and Adelbert Ames are buried was untouched. That cemetery was untouched.

Here's some video which shows a lot more of the damage.

Police have canvassed the area but no neighbors reported seeing or hearing anything suspicious. A full-blown investigation is underway.

The cemetery is actually maintained by Dracut since it has been there since before that part of town was annexed into Lowell. I couldn't reach the Dracut cemetery commissioner tonight, but I did speak briefly to Town Manager Dennis Piendak who said the cemetery budget is fairly small, so fixing this will not be easy.

Lowell Police are asking anyone with information to call them at (978) 937-3200 or to call Crimestoppers at (978) 459-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous, but can receive up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.