THREE ARRESTED FOR CATTLE THEFT

  

Three Washington County Men were arrested and charged with third degree felony theft of livestock after stealing three calves from a rancher in Burton.

Earl Wain Mathis, 47, of Burton and Donnell Patterson, 17, of Burton were both arrested Friday. Arthur Gantt Reliford, 38, of Burton was arrested Thursday. They are being held at the Washington County Jail under a $10,000 bond each..

Special Ranger Doug Hutchison with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association led the investigation and was assisted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.  According to Hutchison, the suspects stole the calves in June and took them to the Giddings Livestock Commission to sell them. The auction owner, Larry Shatte was suspicious of the sales transaction so he notified the Cattle Raisers Association.

Hutchison said they were able to make a positive identification on one calf with photographs and by pairing it with its mother. It’s now back in the rightful owner’s possession. The other two calves had already been shipped, making them impossible to identify. However, the Giddings Livestock Commission was able to stop payment on the check issued to the suspects, and the funds were instead paid to the victim.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has 30 agents stationed strategically throughout Texas and all are commissioned as Special Rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety.