In relation to a string of headstone thefts in Northwest Indiana involving bronze veteran memorials, two offenders are currently serving prison sentences.
According to the sheriff’s office, Terry L. Wood, 53, and Breanna C. Puentez, 25, were taken into custody on Friday following a string of thefts that were reported throughout La Porte County last month.
Both are accused with a number of offenses, including theft and vandalism at cemeteries.
According to La Porte deputies, seasoned detective Jake Koch oversaw the investigation that revealed the thefts from other cemeteries, including Union Mills, Rolling Prairie, Carmel, Pinola, Greenwood, and St. Stan’s.
The sheriff’s office reports that a total of fifteen markers were reported stolen, and one marker was reported damaged.
The LCSO invited the public to visit the gravesites of the local veterans who had passed away on August 28th, the day they made the probe public. Investigators discovered a suspect the next day thanks to reliable information.
Wood was taken into custody early on Friday morning during an operation known as “Justice, Peace, and Salute” at a home in the La Porte neighborhood located in the 400 block of Andrew Avenue.
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Officials stated that more evidence was gathered, and later that day Puentez was also detained on suspicion of the thefts.
Due to Puentez’s previous bond violation, he is not eligible for bond, while Wood is being detained on a $15,005 cash-only bond. Level 5 and Level 6 felonies are the charges against both accused.
