For Immediate Release: July 31 , 2012
Contact: Carmen Fenton, 512-469-0171
Brenham, Texas – A Brenham man is behind bars after he was arrested for allegedly stealing 1 head of cattle from a Washington County ranch where he was employed. Doug Hutchison, special ranger for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) and Damon Wegner, investigator for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation.
Hutchison arrested Horasio Ramirez, 27, Wednesday after he confessed to stealing the animal from his employer.
Hutchison said that Ramirez took the animal to a local livestock auction where an auction employee noticed the animal’s brand as one belonging to a local rancher. The animal was quickly identified and returned to the owner.
“Although this case involves 1 stolen animal, we have reason to believe that Ramirez has been involved in multiple cattle thefts. This investigation is ongoing and we anticipate more charges to be filed,” said Hutchison.
Hutchison went on to say that branding cattle is the best way to deter cattle thieves and also helps to recover cattle if they are stolen.
Ramirez is currently held on bond of $10,000.
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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 135 year-old trade association and is the largest and oldest livestock organization based in Texas. TSCRA has more than 15,000 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.