Operation Justice, Peace, and Salute leads to two arrests in La Porte County

LA PORTE, Ind. -- On Sept. 6 The La Porte County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of two individuals who were in connection with the recent thefts of stolen bronze veteran markers found on headstones from around the county.

Since last month, bronze veteran markers have been reported missing to the agency from a series of headstones.

Detective Koch and Detective Aaron Banic begun their investigation of the missing markers on Aug. 28, where it was later revealed that more bronze markers had disappeared from headstones in Union Mills, Rolling Prairie Cemeteries, Carmel, Pinola, Greenwood, and St. Stan's Cemeteries. Leading to a final count of 15 missing bronze veteran markers with one headstone reported to have been damaged.

Personnel and several divisions executed an operation dubbed Justice, Peace, and Salute at the residence of 400 block of Andrew Avenue in La Porte. 53-year-old Terry L. Wood was taken into custody with additional evidence recovered from the property. Later that same day, 25-year-old Breanna C. Puentez was also taken into custody charged in Circuit Court for her involvement in the theft ring.

Wood and Puentez remain in La Porte County Jail with offenses of theft (Level 5 Felony), and 15 counts of cemetery mischief (Level 6 Felony).

Captain Derek J. Allen stated, “This type of criminal behavior is disgusting, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in La Porte County! It is the hope of the entire Sheriff’s 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.”