Kane County cops: Who let the cows out?
Either Kane County is turning into the Wild West, or a rural prankster has some explaining to do.
Over the weekend, six Holstein calves were reported missing from a Maple Park farm in what police say is most likely a prank resembling the rare and anachronistic crime of cattle rustling.
"It's not something that happens often," Kane County Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said Tuesday. "At this point, we just know someone let them out of the barn. We're not investigating it as a theft."
The bull calves were discovered missing early Saturday on Robert Burgin's farm at 46W725 Route 38. Burgin, 45, said ropes holding two gates closed had been cut, and a quick search of surrounding property turned up empty.
The next day, one of the calves was found wandering around in the road and Burgin was able to coax it home.
"I have my suspicions," he said. "I think somebody saw an opportunity. They wanted them for veal or they wanted them because they didn't like how they were being raised."
"I don't know what type of person would do that," he added.
Burgin said he recently bought the six unweaned calves for about $800 but their value today is closer to $1,200. He described them as all black and white in color; one is missing hair on the backs of its legs.
If the calves were stolen, Burgin said, it would have taken more than one person to pull it off.
"Babies like that, they're kind of wild. You couldn't have done it by yourself," said Burgin, a farmer of 13 years and also a full-time teacher in Carol Stream.
The Kane County Sheriff's Department has assigned an investigator to the case, currently classified under "mischievous conduct." Burgin said there would be "no questions asked" if the cows are returned.
Otherwise, "If we find out who did it, I will be prosecuting to the fullest extent," he said. "It's more than a theft to me; it's part of me, it's part of my business."
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff's office at (630) 232-6840 or the Burgin farm at (630) 365-0803.