$10,000 reward offered in northwest Oklahoma cattle theft cases
A monetary reward is being offered for information leading to the recovery of stolen cattle or an arrest following multiple cattle thefts near Alva, Oklahoma. The thefts involved 84 head of cattle reported missing in two separate incidents.
Marty Koppitz reported 53 steers weighing approximately 700 pounds were stolen in March. The cattle have green ear tags beginning with the letters “MD” and a Rocking 007 brand on the left hip.
In a separate incident, Tim Foote reported 31 calves stolen directly off their mothers. The theft occurred about 2 miles north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and State Highway 14. The calves have white ear tags marked “Foote” in their right ears and a TF brand on the left hip.
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Lynn Mays is the contact for information about the thefts. Anyone with information can call Mays at 806-683-8320.
Beaver County Stockyards matches reward
Beaver County Stockyards, located in Beaver, Oklahoma, matched $5,000 already offered by the affected cattle owners, bringing the total reward to $10,000.
Layne Konkel, of Beaver County Stockyards, said the thefts create additional financial pressure for cattle producers already facing the challenges of making a living in the livestock business.
“It’s hard to make a living in this business as it is,” Konkel said.
He noted one producer had to cover the cost of the stolen cattle because they were taken in on the gain, adding to the financial loss.
“These cattle are worth a lot of money, and there’s just no room for it,” he said.
Konkel said investigators have not established whether the reported thefts are connected. However, other smaller thefts have occurred in the last year within an estimated 30- to 45-mile radius.
