Indiana Grave Robbers Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Over a Dozen Bronze Veteran Burial Markers
Two people have been arrested in Indiana on charges of grave robbing. They are said to have taken more than a dozen bronze headstones from soldier cemeteries. These memorials can sell for several thousand dollars each.
At least 15 grave markers were stolen from six graves in La Porte County, which is in the northwest of Indiana. Terry Wood, 53, and Breanna Puentez, 25, were arrested on Friday for this crime, according to the county Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office said last month that metal markers for veterans’ graves were going missing. They started an investigation called “Justice, Peace, and Salute,” which is being led by Detective Jake Koch, who is a veteran himself.
The marks can be as small as a medallion or as big as a plaque that covers the whole headstone. The larger option can cost up to several thousand dollars.
The office put “an extraordinary amount of effort and time” into the investigation, the police said.
On August 28, officials told the public about the horrible thefts and asked people to visit the graves of heroes. The tips led to a big step forward in the case the next day, the office said.
The plaques in cemeteries in Union Mills, Rolling Prairie, Carmel, Pinola, Greenwood, and St. Stan’s were reportedly stolen by Wood and Puentez.
The office said that they are thought to have stolen 15 signs and damaged a 16th.
Authorities say they arrested Wood at a home in La Porte where they found more proof of the crimes.
It wasn’t clear right away what their goal was.
WGN9 was the first to report that the two were arrested and charged with theft and 15 counts of grave mischief.
Wood was being held on $15,005 bail, but Puentez could not get bail because he was accused of breaking the terms of his bond in a different case.
Capt. Derek Allen said the acts were “gross” and “not acceptable.”
Allen said, “We hope that these arrests bring peace and comfort to US Veterans, both living and dead, and we thank them for their service.”