Man can't remember
why he stole grave markers

Headstones found in Alcourtney Teengar's car trunk when he hit a tree
on September 23 and Ramah Navajo Police were called. Officials believe
the markers came from the old Griego Ranch Store cemetery on Candy Kitchen Road and would like to contact family. — Photo courtesy of Chief Val Panteah, Ramah Navajo Police.

Copyright © 2008
Gallup Independent
By Helen Davis
Cibola County Bureau

RAMAH — Who knows what Alcoutney Teengar was thinking when he loaded three sandstone grave markers into the trunk of his car and drove away from a private cemetery near Candy Kitchen. Teengar certainly has not a clue.

According to a spokesman for the Cibola County Sheriff’s Department, all the larcenist had to say when asked why he stole headstones was, “I did it. I was very, very drunk. I don’t remember if anyone was with me. When can I get my car back?” The stones are heavy and investigators doubt if one man could carry them alone.

Teengar’s car was impounded after he hit a tree on the Ramah Navajo reservation and Ramah Navajo police were called. When officers were popped the trunk of the damaged vehicle, they discovered three sandstone headstones with early late 19th and early 20th century dates hand-carved next to names of the buried.

Navajo police turned the case over to the sheriff’s department because the stones were taken from a private graveyard in county jurisdiction, said department Lt. Harry Hall, who is handling the case, but Teengar is a resident of Ramah Navajo and cannot be arrested by a sheriff’s department representative.

It is a problem.

The sheriff’s office said all they can do is talk to the guy, file charges for defacing tombs, a misdemeanor, and try to find family members so stones can be returned.

Officials believe the stones came from land belonging to the old Griego Ranch Store on Candy Kitchen Road. Names on the soft stone are partially worn away, but may belong to people related to Harry Martin, Harry Griego, and Ermalinda Griego or Martin.

The sheriff’s office would be very interested in hearing from family or anyone who may know how to contact the family, a spokesman said.

As for Teengar’s motive in taking the stones in the first place, the only suggestion the sheriff’s office has received hinted that maybe the bandit was planning a Halloween haunted house and just wanted some scenery.

He is probably a good man at heart and seems to be of a helpful bent. Hall said that when he approached Teengar about the matter, the thief was painting signs for his church.

Information: Cibola County Sheriff’s Office 24-hour line at: 287-9476. To remain anonymous, call Cibola Crime Stoppers at 287-8400.