HOUSTON – Two teenagers have been accused of burglarizing and trashing a World War II veteran's home.
Elbert Wood, 93, said he couldn't believe his eyes when he walked into his home Monday morning.
"I was just amazed that somebody would do this," Wood said. "I wondered who I'd made enemies of that would do something like this."
Wood has lived in his home in the 5000 block of Viking near Bolivia in northwest Houston for more than 50 years. He lived there with his wife, who died a few weeks ago.
The teens spray-painted the walls and furniture, and police said that helped them catch the teens.
"They got a little bit up on the picture up there … they got some on the leather chair," Wood said. "They did all kinds of damage. I'm used to having my house looking pretty well and now it just looks terrible."
It seems that the only thing left untouched was the Purple Heart Wood earned when he was wounded in Guam.
Police said they spotted two teenagers walking down the street shortly after the crime. They had some of the same colors of paint on them.
"I'm glad they're caught because I sure wouldn't want them coming back again," Wood said.
Wood said he plans to talk to his insurance company to find out how long and how much it will cost him to make repairs.
We have received many calls and emails from people asking how they can help Wood. We're working to see if his family will be accepting donations and we will post that information here as soon as we get it.