Taunton Police Officer Catches Man Who Stole Tree From Daughter's Grave
TAUNTON (CBS) – A 57-year-old man is facing charges after police say he stole a Christmas tree from a child's grave. Police tracked the suspect by planting a GPS tracking device in the tree's pot.
Every holiday, every year, Bill Henault decorates his daughter's grave at the Mayflower Hill Cemetery.
"Everything that was on there had some sentimental connection to her personally," said Henault.
Rachael Marie Henault passed away 15 years ago from brain cancer. She was only seven years old.
"She's awesome. She's awesome," said Henault.
The past four Christmases someone has stolen Rachael's Christmas tree.
"More hurt than angry. She was diagnosed December 23rd. Spent a week in the ICU at Children's Hospital. Had a brain operation Christmas Eve. And Christmas is a sensitive time of the year," said Henault.
This year, Henault- who also happens to be a Taunton Police officer - had enough. Henault and Chief Ed Walsh hid a GPS inside the base of the tree.
"We hid it in the pot, below the soil in an plastic bag. Set up a geo fence around the cemetery," said Henault.
Within minutes, the GPS led officers to Gerry Dutra's house.
"It was a bad decision call, that's all it was," Dutra said.
"For four years in a row?" WBZ-TV's Julie Loncich asked.
"No, it wasn't four years in a row. That's him making accusations," said Dutra.
Dutra lives just down the road from the cemetery.
"After a certain amount of time, the cemetery workers usually throw away those trees if they don't get them. I presumed he wasn't going to come get it. I should have waited," Dutra said.
Dutra told WBZ-TV this story was being blown out of proportion.
"I wasn't doing it with no evil intent, you know what I mean?" said Dutra.
Dutra has dozens of other trees in and around his home, but says he didn't steal them or anything else for that matter.
The tree and ornaments were returned to Sgt. Bill Henault.
"What gave him the audacity to think that he could go in and take a Christmas tree from a seven year old girl?" said Henault.
Dutra was issued a summons, but not arrested. He's charged with vandalizing a grave and receiving stolen property.
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