Arkansas Probe of Stolen Horses Leads to Missing Cattle

The investigation into the theft of five horses from Southern Arkansas University last year has led to the arrest of three people for allegedly stealing cattle.

Court appearances are set for Tuesday in Ashdown for the suspects.

Facing felony theft charges are 38-year-old William Webster “Billy” Hamilton, 38-year-old Wendi Nicole Cox, and 18-year-old George Berish III.

The Texarkana Gazette reports Hamilton and Cox are also charged with felony cruelty to animals and possession of stolen property in the November horse thefts. Berish faces six thefts counts for the theft of the horses and a trailer.

Four of the horses were recovered in Oklahoma and one was found dead.

State police say the three are accused of stealing 15 heifers worth more than $10,000 from a ranch at Ogden.