Midland County Ranch Foreman Accused Of Stealing 61 Head Of Cattle
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: January 30, 2013
MIDLAND -- A Lovington, NM man is accused of stealing cattle and selling them for more than $30,000.
William Thurman Lovelace was arrested on January 28th.
Midland County Sheriff's deputies say that Lovelace -- a ranch foreman -- stole 61 head of cattle from his employer and sold them in three separate auctions in Big Spring.
Lovelace, 34, reportedly sold 23 head of black unbranded calves in his name at the Big Spring Livestock Auction for $11,686.46 on November 18, 2011.
Lovelace then reportedly sold 29 head of black unbranded calves in his name at the Big Spring Livestock Auction for $14,646.40 on January 13, 2012.
Lovelace also reportedly sold 8 black unbranded calves and 1 black cow branded with "M over a Bar" (the ranch registered brand) at the Big Spring Livestock Auction for $6,320.93.
Lovelace reportedly got a combined $32,653.79 from the 3 sales.
Lovelace allegedly told deputies that the ranch owner had given him the cattle, but the ranch owner said he'd never handed over the herd.
Now, Lovelace is charged with felony theft of livestock.
As of Wednesday evening, Lovelace was being held in the Midland County Detention Center on $50,000 bond.
William Thurman Lovelace was arrested on January 28th.
Midland County Sheriff's deputies say that Lovelace -- a ranch foreman -- stole 61 head of cattle from his employer and sold them in three separate auctions in Big Spring.
Lovelace, 34, reportedly sold 23 head of black unbranded calves in his name at the Big Spring Livestock Auction for $11,686.46 on November 18, 2011.
Lovelace then reportedly sold 29 head of black unbranded calves in his name at the Big Spring Livestock Auction for $14,646.40 on January 13, 2012.
Lovelace also reportedly sold 8 black unbranded calves and 1 black cow branded with "M over a Bar" (the ranch registered brand) at the Big Spring Livestock Auction for $6,320.93.
Lovelace reportedly got a combined $32,653.79 from the 3 sales.
Lovelace allegedly told deputies that the ranch owner had given him the cattle, but the ranch owner said he'd never handed over the herd.
Now, Lovelace is charged with felony theft of livestock.
As of Wednesday evening, Lovelace was being held in the Midland County Detention Center on $50,000 bond.
