AND LAW ARRESTS
THEFT
Leave No Keys in Ranch Vehicles
Doug Hutchison TSCRA Special Ranger
Three Washington County Men Arrested for Theft of Livestock
T
HREE WASHINGTON COUNTY MEN WERE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THIRD DEGREE felony theft of livestock after stealing 3 calves from a rancher in Bur-
ton, Texas. Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Doug Hutchison led the investigation. Earl Wain Mathis, 47, and Donnell Patterson, 17, both of Burton, were
arrested Friday, July 25. Arthur Gantt Reliford, 38, also of Burton, was arrested Thursday, July 24. According to Hutchison, the suspects stole the calves in June and took
them to the Giddings Livestock Commission to sell them. The auction owner, Larry Shatte, was suspicious of the sales transaction so he notifi ed Nina Nygard, TSCRA market inspector. Nygard then contacted Hutchison so he could begin investigating the case. Hutchison said they were able to make a positive identifi cation on 1
calf with photographs and by pairing it with its mother. It is now back in the rightful owner’s possession. The other 2 calves had already been shipped, worked and turned out into large herds, making them impos- sible to identify. However, the Giddings Livestock Commission was able to stop payment on the check issued to the suspects, and the funds were instead paid to the victim. “The best way ranchers can protect their livestock from being stolen
is to brand and keep a regular count on their cattle,” says Hutchison. “Without a brand, it makes it very diffi cult to positively identify livestock after they are stolen.” TSCRA would like to thank Washington County Sergeant Investigator
Damon Wegner, Washington County Sergeant Investigator Clay Bosse, Washington County Evidence Technician Mark Morales, Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak and the Giddings Livestock Commission for their assistance with the investigation.
34 The Cattleman October 2014 T
SCRA SPECIAL RANGERS, TEXAS LAW enforcement and border secu-
rity authorities remind ranchers and landowners in South and West Texas near the Mexican border to not leave keys, fi rearms or ammu- nition in vehicles. Theft of ranch vehicles, includ-
ing ATVs and tractors, by border crossers has been on the increase, leading to damaged fences and equipment. Firearms and ammu- nition left in these vehicles could fall into the wrong hands and en- danger law enforcement personnel and landowners.
CASE CLOSED
Defendant: Kimberley Lois Weddle Date of Birth: March 30, 1977 Offense: Theft of more than $1,500 but less than $20,000 Date of Offense: June 26, 2012 Victim: Edwin Anderson Location of Offense: Sutton County Trial Date: Nov. 6, 2013 Trial Court: 112th District Plea: Guilty Sentence: 5 years deferred adjudication Restitution: $1,000 Fine: $500 Court Costs: $254 Community Service: 120 hours TSCRA Special Ranger: H.D. Brittain
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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