Free Republic

Five men were arrested Friday for allegedly stealing and slaughtering roughly 70 head of cattle across Williamson County over several months. Detectives found evidence of a sophisticated operation, including cut fences, animal processing tools, and photos of slaughtered cattle on suspects' phones. While the five suspects face third-degree felony charges, authorities are seeking more information from the public regarding the organized agricultural theft ring. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - A months-long investigation into a sophisticated livestock theft operation has resulted in the arrest of five men accused of stealing and slaughtering approximately 70 head of cattle across Williamson County, authorities announced...

Investigators believe the 180 cattle, collectively, may have been stolen from several ranchers.. Investigators are working to determine if nearly 200 cattle that were reported missing southwest of Montrose were stolen. The Montrose County Sheriff's Office said roughly 180 cattle, collectively, are not accounted for by a number of ranchers. The cattle are missing from the Uncompahgre Plateau, where they graze during the summer months. “You can always lose some to predators, to accidents, to poisonous weeds, things like that. But the 180 is just far more than normal," said Montrose County Sheriff Chuck Searcy. “It's hard to believe that...