Purple Heart stolen from Taunton widow found

TAUNTON, Mass. (AP/MyFoxBoston) -- Taunton police say they have recovered a Purple Heart stolen from the widow of a World War II veteran.

Three people have been charged in connection with the theft of the medal given to military personnel wounded in action and other items stolen from the 86-year-old woman's home on Monday.

All three, Louis Felix, Marshall Davis and Amanda Andrade have been charged with receiving stolen property worth over $250.

Police say they tracked down the band of thieves at a city apartment on Wednesday. When a knock on the door didn't work, police used a battering ram to gain entrance. The Purple Heart was found in a car outside the apartment in a purse. One of the officers had observed Andrade leaving the apartment and putting the purse in a car registered to Felix, according to a police report.

Other objects recovered included multiple antiques. Some of the items were a case of antique stamps, two historic John F. Kennedy audio records, an antique Kodak camera, a silver cigarette holder and a gold cigarette case.

Cox Media Group