An investigation has been launched after more than 60 cows were stolen from an Ohio farm in an overnight heist. The theft occurred between 10 p.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday at a converted cattle barn in Coldwater, approximately 70 miles from Dayton.
Authorities Suspect Experienced Thieves
Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman told The Daily Standard that the perpetrators likely possess significant experience handling cattle. “We suspect it has to be somebody that's very familiar with handling cattle and have the equipment and means to be able to transport that, and not only that, but to care for them afterwards and to have an outlet for them once they leave there,” Timmerman said.
The sheriff emphasized that the thieves would have needed “some pretty serious equipment” to pull off the crime, noting that a standard van would not suffice for loading the animals. “Common sense is probably telling us that there was probably a trailer-load, a full trailer-load taken, which is why they probably stopped,” he explained. “Obviously, somebody has thought this out a little bit ahead of time.”
Details of the Stolen Cattle
The stolen animals were Holstein calves, each valued between $1,800 and $2,000. Weighing approximately 250 pounds, they are identifiable by their black-and-white or red-and-white markings. Derek Joseph Gaerke, co-owner of Gaerke Brother Farms, confirmed that the calves were 13 weeks old. While his company owns the cattle, they were under the care of Selhorst Farms at the time of the theft. A number of younger calves were left behind at the scene.
Holsteins are described as an “efficient, high-producing” breed by Oklahoma State University’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences. A testing program found that they produce 17,408 pounds of milk, 632 pounds of butterfat, and 550 pounds of protein annually.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have alerted nearby sale barns to the incident and are appealing to the public for information or Ring doorbell footage that may assist in the investigation. Sheriff Timmerman added that the thieves would have needed a plan to “get rid” of the cattle or resources to raise them, suggesting a coordinated effort.
