02/27/2026
* * * NEWS RELEASE * * *
A Limestone County ranching family says decades worth of work was stolen overnight after thieves cut through fencing and hauled away almost a dozen calves from their property over the weekend.
Donald Thomas Sr. and his son, Donald Thomas Jr., say their family has operated a cow-calf operation on land along FM 2310 in Coolidge for decades.
“We’ve owned this for about 30 years,” Donald Thomas Sr. said.
According to the family, the theft happened in the Sandy community sometime late Friday night into early Saturday morning. They said suspects broke through metal panels where cattle were being weaned and caused significant damage to fencing and pens. A nearby pasture was also reportedly targeted while its owner was hospitalized.
The Thomases said they first learned something was wrong when they received a call about cattle loose near the roadway.
“We got a call that we had some cattle out, so we came back and investigated,” Thomas Sr. said. “We found the front gate lock had been cut open.”
The family discovered signs that someone had entered with a trailer.
“My panels that were the gate to the front of this deal — the thieves moved them and ran the cattle back in there,” Thomas Sr. said. “You could see trailer marks where they pulled a trailer in here and loaded them.”
Two calves were recovered nearby, but 11 heifers were missing.
“We felt violated,” Thomas Sr. said. “Somebody had the nerve to come onto our land and just take our cattle like this.”
Investigators believe the theft occurred overnight.
“Between midnight and roughly about 5 or 6 a.m. Saturday morning,” Donald Thomas Jr. said.
The family estimates the stolen cattle were worth about $27,000 and say the loss directly affects their livelihood.
“You could pay down debt or buy things needed for the farm,” Thomas Sr. said. “That really impacted us financially.”
The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office has taken reports and is investigating. The family says deputies have maintained contact but no suspects have been publicly identified.
The relative’s email also asked residents in the Sandy, Mexia and Coolidge areas to report suspicious vehicles, livestock trailers or unusual activity during that timeframe.
Thomas Sr. believes rising cattle prices may have motivated the crime.
“Right now they’re bringing $5 to $6 a pound,” he said. “That would make somebody do something like this.”
The Thomases say nothing similar has happened on their property in three decades, and they now plan to install additional surveillance and security measures.
“It’s two things we hate — a liar and a thief,” Thomas Jr. said. “If you know anything, just say something. Turn the names in and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and reference the active investigation.
Source: Central Texas News 6
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
