Burien police still have no leads on who stole four memorial plaques Sept. 19 from the World War I memorial on Des Moines Memorial Drive. The memorial is located near South 156th Street.

Dick Dahlgard, vice-president of the Highline Historical Society, said last week the plaques are believed to be made out of brass-a metal thieves might find valuable to sell to refineries. That practice is becoming more common by thieves looking to make money for drug purchases.

Because the stolen plaques were featured on local television news, Dahlgard had hoped that would bring further information on the thefts, but no new leads have developed in the case.

"When I was young in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, each Memorial Day they would have a ceremony," Dahlgard recalled about the WWI memorial.

The plaques had been in place since 1963 when the wall that they were fastened to was built. A time capsule was also placed in the wall at that time. It was not stolen and recovered following the thefts three weeks ago.

The time capsule, found by Burien City Manager Mike Martin, was turned over to Dahlgard, and the historical society. Dahlgard has given the time capsule to the American Legion, where it resides now.

He believes the memorial will be replaced, but said that process had not started. The replacement plaques will be talked about at future city council meetings.