A Sunnyside man is accused of using a Honda Accord to steal two dozen calves from a Mabton area ranch.
Deputies were called by a man who said his cattle were being stolen from Sagebrush Ranch on Glade Road, and he was following a 1996 Honda Accord he saw leaving the ranch around 7:30 a.m. March 5. He followed the Honda to the Outlook Rodeo Grounds, 3510 Gap Road.
The man said that cattle had been taken from the ranch since Feb. 22, with 19 Heifers reported stolen, and that 24 Wagyu calves were recently taken from the ranch, all with ear tags, the affidavit said.
At the rodeo grounds, deputies found the Honda's driver, a 23-year-old Sunnyside man, in a cattle pen feeding 16 calves. He was placed under arrest, the affidavit said, and deputies saw that he had cow manure on his boots, and that the Honda's interior was also covered in manure.
Police also found the suspect's cellphone and charger in the Honda, and he was carrying the keys to the car.
The car's owner said the suspect asked if he could house calves at the rodeo grounds, and that her son let the suspect borrow his car to look for a job, the affidavit said.
Sixteen calves were recovered, the affidavit said, with a value of $500 per calf.
Deputies booked the suspect into the Yakima County jail on suspicion of livestock theft.
Deputy Yakima County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Handy argued at a March 6 preliminary appearance hearing for $10,000 bail in the case, as he has a high likelihood of failing to appear for court hearings.
When he was arrested, the suspect had a warrant for his arrest out of Yakima County District Court in connection with a charge of third-degree theft and making a false statement to a public official, according to court records. He failed to appear in Granger Municipal Court this past year on traffic charges.
Defense attorney Melissa Derry said the district court warrant was resolved earlier on Feb. 6 and she asked for $5,000 bail, noting that he is not accused of a violent crime.
Yakima County Superior Court Judge Sonia Rodriguez True set bail at $5,000, in addition to the $500 bail in his theft case and a $2,000 bail for reckless driving.
