Two suspects have been arrested in Indiana for allegedly stealing bronze military markers from veterans headstones.
Terry L. Wood Jr., 53, and Breanna C. Puentez, 25, were charged with one count each of felony theft and 15 counts of felony cemetery mischief, according to the La Porte County Sheriffs Office.
The pair is accused of stealing 15 bronze veteran markers from at least six cemeteries in the county. Another marker was reported damaged.
This type of criminal behavior is disgusting, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in La Porte County! sheriffs office Capt. Derek J. Allen said in a statement. Hopefully, US Veterans, both deceased and living, can find peace and comfort with these arrests, and with that, we salute them for their service.
An investigation was opened on August 28 by Detective Jake Koch, a veteran himself, and Detective Aaron Banic.
The sheriffs office encouraged the loved ones of deceased veterans to visit their gravesites. A day after the investigation was announced, authorities had identified one of the suspects.
Terry L. Wood Jr., 53, who weighs 425 pounds, was arrested Friday at a residence on Andrew Avenue
Breanna C. Puentez, 25, was arrested a day later and both were charged with one count each of felony theft and 15 counts of felony cemetery mischief
On Friday, authorities arrested Wood at a residence on Andrew Avenue, where additional evidence was recovered from the property.
A day later, Puentez was taken into custody.
Wood, who weighs 425 pounds, is being held on a $15,005 cash-only bond. Puentez is already out on bond.
Several agencies assisted the Sheriffs Office, including the Criminal Investigations Division, La Porte County Warrants Division, La Porte County Drug Task Force, Fugitive Apprehension Street Team, and the US Department of Veteran Affairs.
The markers come in many shapes and size. Deceased families request markers through the Department of Veterans Affairs and, if approved, they are provided to the family at no cost.
Veterans Affairs provides markers to honorably discharged veterans who died on or after November 1, 1990. Additional requirements are needed for those who served before World War I or at different points in the 1980s.
Deceased families can request markers through the Department of Veterans Affairs and, if approved, they are provided to the family at no cost.