Three Nabbed for Cattle Theft

HENDERSON – Three East Texas suspects were arrested Thursday for theft of livestock after allegedly stealing two head of cattle from a pasture near Reklaw. KETK reports John Frederick Hinds II, 26, Reklaw; his wife, Kellie Dawn Hinds, 22, Reklaw; and Bobby Addrian Askew, 24, Jacksonville, were admittedly high on methamphetamine at the time of the theft. The suspects hired a commercial hauler to transport the cattle to a livestock auction barn in East Texas. Livestock company employees immediately saw multiple signs of possible theft and reported it. The cattle were later identified as stolen and returned to the owners.

“These cattle were quickly identified and returned to their owners because employees at the livestock market stepped forward and voiced concerns they had about the sellers,” said Larry Hand, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) special ranger. “Thanks to the collaboration between TSCRA and sheriff deputies, we were able to track down the suspects and take them into custody.” Hand advises ranchers to brand their cattle and count them regularly, especially now that cattle prices are at record highs. Hand led the investigation in cooperation with deputies from the Panola and Rusk County sheriff’s departments, the Rusk County district attorney’s office, TSCRA Market Inspector Pat McGuigan and TSCRA Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson.