Cattle rustlers like to go after calves, according to Sheriff's Department Investigator Timothy J. Weis. Weis said the younger animals are easier to move -- they can fit in the back seat of a car -- and easier to sell because they don't often yet have any permanent identification.
"It's easy to cut a calve's identification from its ear," Weis said. "You can use scissors or metal snips. You then have a hole in the ear, but it's difficult to identify the cattle afterwards."
That ease of movement and lack of identification may have been what Charles M. Fuller, 20, of Gainsville, and William C. Raymond, 26, of Castile were counting on when they allegedly calf-napped three young Holsteins from Noblehurst Farms, York Road, Pavilion, on March 23.
What the alleged theives weren't counting on was an anonymous tip that led investigators to suspect Fuller and Raymond.
Without the tip, there may never have been an arrest in the case. Even though the Sheriff's Department notified the livestock auction houses in the region, the thieves were apparently able to successfully sell the calves at the Maplehurst Livestock Market in Hinsdale.
"They (Maplehurst) didn't catch it (that the calves were stolen) and they processed the sale as normal," Weis said.
Rather than try to recover the calves, which would involve tracking them through other possible sales channels and possibly as far as California, the owners of Noblehurst have elected to seek restitution from the defendants upon conviction, Weis said.
The owners are also concerned that "now that the calves have mixed with other cattle, they could bring back disease and infect their other cattle," Weis said.
Often times, Weis said, investigators need not rely on anonymous tips. Because auction houses are notified when calves are stolen, they might spot unusual activity and let law enforcement officials know.
"When they see some individual who doesn't seem to be a farmer (trying to sell cattle), that's a clue," Weis said.
Even so, Weis said that livestock auctions are hectic environments and not conducive to every seller getting close scrutiny.
"You would be surprised at how easy it is to go unnoticed," Weis said.
That's why the anonymous tip in this case may prove crucial in getting a conviction and lead to restitution for Noblehurst.
Mug shots above: Fuller upper left; Raymond, lower right.
