FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Jan. 15, 2016
CONTACT: Laramie Adams
CELL: 512-922-7328

Raywood, Texas – Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Special Ranger Jimmy Belt and Liberty County Sheriff’s Office authorities are investigating the burglary of approximately $85,000 of equipment from the Raywood Livestock Market.

According to Belt, authorities received notification on Jan. 4 of a GMC diesel truck, a 20-foot lowboy trailer, a Bobcat skid-steer and a Kabota Excavator being stolen from the Raywood Livestock Market. The total value of the equipment was approximately $85,000.

Belt and Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Investigator Chris Ungles conducted the investigation. Belt and Liberty County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Johnston recovered the truck on Jan. 4, with the assistance of the Precinct 2 Constable’s Office. All other stolen equipment was recovered by Belt and Ungles on Jan. 7. The stolen property was recovered from three different locations in South Liberty County and the investigation is continuing.

“I appreciate the work of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office on this investigation,” said Belt. “This serves as an important reminder that equipment theft is frequently occurring, and locking-up anything of value is of utmost importance to prevent becoming a victim.”

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TSCRA has 30 special rangers stationed strategically throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement. All are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

TSCRA is a 139-year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 17,000 beef cattle operations, ranching families and businesses as members. These members represent approximately 50,000 individuals directly involved in ranching and beef production who manage 4 million head of cattle on 76 million acres of range and pasture land primarily in Texas and Oklahoma, but throughout the Southwest.