Story Published:
Feb 9, 2009 at 6:53 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 9, 2009 at 6:53 PM CDT
CLEVER, Mo. -- Rustlers who stole 53 head of cattle from a ranch on Saturday night apparently knew exactly what they were doing. The owners of Poco Cala Ranch were away and a man who helps out there had left for the night.
The rustlers broke down the front gates to the ranch, which is on Jasmine Road on the Christian/Stone County line south of Clever. They used a ground load trailer because the chutes for loading higher trailers at the ranch were not used.
The thefts happened between 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Jesse Rice, who helps at the ranch, said the stolen Brahma crossbreed cows are bred to produce rodeo livestock such as bucking bulls. He said the thieves didn’t steal any bulls.
Rice said it looks like the rustlers must have cased the farm. Security lights were on, and the cattle were stolen from a pen next to the barn. They had to open several gates to get the cattle to a trailer.
Some of the cattle were branded with an "s" turned sideways with a straight line. They're varying colors and weigh between 700 and 1,200 pounds each.
Rice said Monday that Lonnie Littles, the owner of Poco Cala Ranch, was touring auction houses in Oklahoma to try to find the cattle. Other people were helping him look in other places.
Anyone with information can call the Christian County Sheriff's Department at (417) 581-2332.
