John Adam Puchalla, 31, and Leo Joe Puchalla, 29, both of Bowlus, were charged Tuesday with one felony count each of theft of property valued at more than $1,000.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 16, law enforcement received a report of an assault at a bar in Bowlus. Officers met with the victim, who alleged that John and Leo Puchalla had entered the bar and assaulted him.
The victim stated that he returned home a short while later and noticed his fish house, valued between $6,000 and $8,000, had allegedly been stolen from his yard along with a number of other items.
The victim contacted police to report the theft, alleging that John and Leo Puchalla were responsible.
On July 17, an officer met with the suspects, who were allegedly unwilling to cooperate at first, but later allegedly admitted they had a confrontation with the victim.
They allegedly admitted that they had later gone to the victim’s residence, stole his fish house and transported it to a swampy area.
If convicted, the Puchallas each face five years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines.