Car keys lead to burglary arrest

A man and woman were arrested on burglary charges after a set of car keys belonging to the woman were allegedly found in one of the bags of stolen items.

Kristin Marie Vesterman, 21, and Joey Allen Puzynski, 18, both of 866 Eucalyptus Ave., Sebring, were both charged with felony counts of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling while unarmed and grand theft of $300 or more but less than $5,000.

Vesterman was released from jail Tuesday on a $4,000 bond, while Puzynski remained incarcerated Thursday under a $16,000 bond.

Highlands County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to 13024 U.S. 98 Sunday night on a burglary in progress call. When they arrived, the back door was found open, but no thieves were located, according to the arrest report

It was while canvassing the area that the deputies found two bags holding antiques, a pink dress and other items similar to those inside the home. There was also a pack of cigarettes, a cellphone and a set of car keys found inside, the report stated.

The person charged as being the home's power of attorney told deputies the items were taken from the home.

During the investigation, deputies received a call of a suspicious person close by on U.S. 98. A witness said they saw a man and woman standing around a Toyota before taking off on foot behind the Eagle's Club.

"The deputies later learned the keys from the bags discovered at the burglarized residence went to the white Toyota located in the Eagle's Club parking lot," Deputy Yancy Blair wrote in the report. "The vehicle is currently registered to Kristin Vesterman."

A wallet was found in the glove compartment that reportedly belonged to Puzynski, as was one of the cellphones found in the bag.

Plair spoke with the two suspects and said there was one part of their stories that was consistent.

"They both said they went there because they heard it was a haunted house," Plair said.