For many, cattle rustling seems like a chapter from America’s agricultural past, immortalized in countless Westerns.
But farmers in Holmes County were left shaken and disappointed to learn of fresh reports of cattle being taken from properties at the western end of the county.
And they are relieved the missing cattle have been returned and a suspect is in custody.
“This is some dirty business to do, taking away the livelihood of these hard-working farmers,” said Thurman Mullet, president of Mt. Hope Auction, which conducts weekly livestock, hay and produce sales.
County Sheriff Tim Zimmerly tipped his hat through social media to the folks at Mt. Hope Auction, and the community for helping to solve the case.
“We got a tip from Mt. Hope Auction,” Zimmerly said. “They believe they sold the cattle on (Aug. 3). A check was issued for $11,642.84 . The cattle were taken to the slaughter house.”
Eight cattle were stolen: six from Hi Hill Farm and two from another area farm. All of the stolen cattle have been recovered by deputies, according to Zimmerly.
The suspect, Justin P. Giauque, 37, of Wooster, was interviewed at the Holmes County Fair on Thursday after the Sheriff’s Office received tips. He faces fourth-degree felony charges of receiving stolen property.
More charges may be forthcoming by the Holmes County prosecutor, who is reviewing the case, according to Zimmerly.
Mullet said after getting calls from concerned farmers, his brother, Chester, reviewed video of sales from the past week. They found some similarities in the cattle that were stolen.
“We called the sheriff and they were out in a matter of minutes,” Mullet said. “We have footage of everything that is brought to the auction. We have footage of the cattle; when they go to the ring.”
Mullet said it was an unusual situation. He couldn’t recall anything like it in his 20-plus years working at the auction.
“We put a lot of livestock through, and everything that is unloaded through our barns is on camera,” Mullet said. “It helps us match things up to make sure the right count is registered when they come in. We spend a lot of time and money monitoring things here. It is money well spent. We have had some cases of equipment being taken. People don’t realize how many cameras we have.
By zooning in on the video, they were able to match ear tags of the missing cattle, Mullet explained, to the farmers who had called about stolen cattle.
“We found a customer that we weren’t really familiar with, and it happened to match,” Mullet said.
Christie Stitzlein, whose cattle were stolen, operates Hi Hill on state Route 514 near Glenmont with her husband Tim.
She couldn’t believe it happen in peaceful Holmes County. Stitzlein is grateful for the quick resolution.
She said her stolen cattle were ready to calve.
Two other black Angus were stolen from a farm along state Route 3, in Washington Township.
“It’s very alarming that something like this could happen here in Holmes County,” said Brandi Schlauch, another local dairy farmer who is among the many who show cows at the county fair.
Farmers across the county were shocked by the incident. The consensus among the cattle crowd gathered in the exposition center at the fair was that it was not a very smart thing to do.
“Isn’t rustling a hanging offense?,” one of the fair attendees jokingly asked.
Zimmerly said he remembered a cattle rustling case that happened in Holmes County nearly 20 years ago, but couldn’t recall the details. A few cows were stolen in the Stillwell area. The thieves were caught.
“I’m very thankful for the community we live in because, when it gets right down to it, with everyone working together, we can solve more crimes than if we do it on our own,” the sheriff said.
Tips help Holmes County Sheriff solve cattle theft case – Wooster Daily Record
