Seboyeta ranch gear is stolen

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

SEBOYETA — A rancher in this rural community in Cibola County reported thousands of dollars in stolen equipment to the Cibola County Sheriff's Department earlier this month totaling more than $16,600.

Lt. Harry Hall said Raymond Gonzales, who has a ranch in the Seboyeta area, said he lost a horse trailer, saddles, bridles, dehorners and more sometime between Nov. 30 and Dec. 5.

The shed where he kept all his equipment is 16 miles away from his house, Hall said.

It is going to be difficult to recover these items because there are no serial numbers on anything, Hall said.

Among the items stolen were 13 Powder River green 16x5 feet portable corral panels, Hall said.

“The shed showed signs of having the padlock and chain being cut by a torch,” Hall said.

Gonzales is offering a reward of $2,500 to anyone that recovers his equipment and helps getting the thieves arrested.

“That reward is over and above the amount that CrimeStoppers would offer for an arrest,” Hall said.

Typically, CrimeStoppers rewards run about $350-$450.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at (505) 287-8400 or the Sheriff's Department through central dispatch at (505) 287-9476, anytime day or night.

The equipment reported stolen is:

• 5x16 gooseneck horse trailer with a new white paint job, and new tires, valued at $10,000. The trailer has a half-top and Robert Torque axles, Hall said.
• Two Circle Y saddles, valued at $2,000
• Two other saddles, unknown makers, valued at $1,000
• 13 Powder River 16x5 portable corral panels, valued at $1,690
• Five bridle bits, valued at $1,000
• Six saddle blankets, valued at $600
• Three cattle dehorners, valued at $375. Dehorners are used to trim horns on cattle.

Hall urged all residents of Cibola County to put serial number of valuable equipment. Take photos if possible. Anything that is done to be able to identify the item will help in the recovery process.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.