Bros Johnson
2024-09-10 07:06:52 UTC
Two people are facing charges in Indiana in connection with a series of
thefts of bronze veteran markers from headstones from various veteran
burial locations in the Hoosier State.
Terry Wood, 53, and Breanna Puentez, 25, were taken into custody Friday
after at least 15 grave markers from six different cemeteries in La Porte
County last month were reported stolen while another was reportedly
damaged, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Both suspects are facing several felony counts of theft and cemetery
mischief.
The sheriff's office publicly announced the investigation into the stolen
grave markers on Aug. 28 and urged residents to visit the grave sites of
deceased veterans. The next day, the agency said investigators received
credible information identifying a suspect.
https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/202
4/09/720/405/ingraverobbers.png?ve=1&tl=1
Terry Wood, 53, and Breanna Puentez, 25, are facing felony counts of theft
and cemetery mischief. (La Porte County Sheriff's Office)
Detective Jake Koch, a veteran himself, led the investigation, which
revealed that the grave markers were taken from cemeteries in Union Mills,
Rolling Prairie, Carmel, Pinola, Greenwood and St. Stan's.
Investigators presented evidence to the La Porte County Prosecuting
Attorneys Office and later to La Porte County Circuit Court, where
probable cause was found for Wood's arrest.
The "Justice, Peace, and Salute" operation was executed Friday in the 400
block of Andrew Avenue in La Porte, where Wood was arrested, and
additional evidence was collected.
Later that day, Puentez was taken into custody and charged in connection
with the thefts.
"This type of criminal behavior is disgusting, unacceptable, and will not
be tolerated in La Porte County! It is the hope of the entire Sheriffs
Office that because of the diligent and thorough investigation by
Detectives Koch and Banic, justice will be served to both accused
subjects. Hopefully, US Veterans, both deceased and living, can find peace
and comfort with these arrests, and with that, we salute them for their
service," Capt. Derek J. Allen said in a statement.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTED AFTER STABBING OF TEEN GIRL AT INDIANA BASEBALL
GAME: POLICE
Both suspects were booked into the La Porte County Jail.
Wood is being held on a $15,005 cash-only bond, while Puentez is not
eligible for bond because she was out on bond.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/indiana-pair-arrested-allegedly-stealing-
bronze-veteran-burial-markers-from-headstones
thefts of bronze veteran markers from headstones from various veteran
burial locations in the Hoosier State.
Terry Wood, 53, and Breanna Puentez, 25, were taken into custody Friday
after at least 15 grave markers from six different cemeteries in La Porte
County last month were reported stolen while another was reportedly
damaged, the La Porte County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Both suspects are facing several felony counts of theft and cemetery
mischief.
The sheriff's office publicly announced the investigation into the stolen
grave markers on Aug. 28 and urged residents to visit the grave sites of
deceased veterans. The next day, the agency said investigators received
credible information identifying a suspect.
https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/202
4/09/720/405/ingraverobbers.png?ve=1&tl=1
Terry Wood, 53, and Breanna Puentez, 25, are facing felony counts of theft
and cemetery mischief. (La Porte County Sheriff's Office)
Detective Jake Koch, a veteran himself, led the investigation, which
revealed that the grave markers were taken from cemeteries in Union Mills,
Rolling Prairie, Carmel, Pinola, Greenwood and St. Stan's.
Investigators presented evidence to the La Porte County Prosecuting
Attorneys Office and later to La Porte County Circuit Court, where
probable cause was found for Wood's arrest.
The "Justice, Peace, and Salute" operation was executed Friday in the 400
block of Andrew Avenue in La Porte, where Wood was arrested, and
additional evidence was collected.
Later that day, Puentez was taken into custody and charged in connection
with the thefts.
"This type of criminal behavior is disgusting, unacceptable, and will not
be tolerated in La Porte County! It is the hope of the entire Sheriffs
Office that because of the diligent and thorough investigation by
Detectives Koch and Banic, justice will be served to both accused
subjects. Hopefully, US Veterans, both deceased and living, can find peace
and comfort with these arrests, and with that, we salute them for their
service," Capt. Derek J. Allen said in a statement.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTED AFTER STABBING OF TEEN GIRL AT INDIANA BASEBALL
GAME: POLICE
Both suspects were booked into the La Porte County Jail.
Wood is being held on a $15,005 cash-only bond, while Puentez is not
eligible for bond because she was out on bond.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/indiana-pair-arrested-allegedly-stealing-
bronze-veteran-burial-markers-from-headstones