Accused rustler gets rounded up

Cattle stolen from Decatur taken to Green Forest sale

— A Garfield man was arrested last week in connection with the theft of 13 cattle taken from the Decatur Livestock Auction and their attempted sale in Green Forest, accordingto Benton County authorities. Officials said the high prices cattle are bringing could lead to more thefts.

A probable cause affidavit from the Prosecutor’s Office states Roger Allen Martin, 43, of 14162 E. Arkansas 72 in Garfield, was arrested Wednesday in connection with conspiracy to commit theft of property.

Capt. Mike Sydoriak, commander of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division, said Martin faces a conspiracy charge because he claimed he was following instructions of another man.

Christopher Buffer, a co-owner of the Decatur Livestock Auction, reported March 13 that computer records showed 13 calves did not sell, according to the probable cause affidavit. The unsold livestock couldn’t be found.

Buffer told detectives he suspected one of his employees took the cattle because there was no sign of forced entry, according to the affidavit. Martin was employed by the auction.

Buffer told deputies, March 15, he contacted several cattle auctions in the area, and representatives of North Arkansas Livestock Auction in Green Forest said a man named Roger Martin was to pick up an $11,027 check for thesale of 13 cattle, according to the affidavit.

Sydoriak said he expects more cattle-related incidents because of high beef prices.

“Cattle are at a very high price right now,” Sydoriak said. “Now that the farmers are finally making some money, the crooks are out there trying to take itaway from them.”

Sydoriak said the best advice he can give cattlemen is to keep gates padlocked, use ear tags and even use microchips.

“When you get right down toit, a black cow at a sale barn is a black cow at a sale barn,” Sydoriak said. “When you find your cattle have been stolen, the best thing to do is get to a sale barn and try to find them, then call the Sheriff’s Office. Most people will try to get rid of them as quickly as possible.”

Sydoriak said a 300-pounder right now is selling up to $2.25 per pound. Even calves are bringing $400.

“It’s nuts,” Sydoriak said.

Tom Troxel, professor and associated department head at the University of Arkansas Animal Sciences in the Division of Agriculture, agreed with Sydoriak, adding that cattle prices are at record highs right now.

That also means, combined with the economy, cattle are particularly attractive to rustlers.

“Typically, we do see an increase in rustling when prices rise,” Troxel said. “Right now, it’s a combination of tough economic times, high unemployment and high cattle prices.”

Troxel said livestock auction owners are the best safeguard against cattle rustling.

“They know the business, they know their people and know the cattle they own,” Troxel said. “If something looks fishy, they know it.”

Meanwhile, Troxel said, the best way to identify your cattle is still the old-fashioned way.

“As old as it is, branding is the only permanent identification we have today,” Troxel said. “Arkansas doesn’t have a branding law - like some of the states out west where you have to brand your cattle. But Arkansas has a branding registry. You can register your brand and no two brands can be alike.”

Unfortunately, Sydoriak said, the cattle in question did not have markings. Investigators were left with the coincidence of 13 cattle disappearing from Decatur and 13 cattle showing up the same week in Green Forest. Sydoriak said there was a matching number of steers and heifers at the two sites.

When Benton County detectives questioned Martin, according to the affidavit, Martin said he hauled cattle for a man in Missouri, but didn’t take them to Green Forest.

Martin also denied going to Green Forest for the check, according to the affidavit. Workers at the Green Forest sale barn, however, wrote down a truck license plate that checked to Martin.

Authorities said Martin attempted to have the name on a check changed from Todd McAlister to his name.

Officials at the Green Forest auction put a stop payment on the check, according to the affidavit.

A phone message left at the Decatur Livestock Auction was not returned Friday. Farmers bring in cattle on Monday and Tuesday until the sales begin, according to the affidavit.

Martin was released Friday from the Benton County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

News, Pages 3 on 04/04/2012