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NEWS
Man Accused in Race Horse Thefts
October 31, 2016
Baton Rouge, La. (October 31, 2016) – A Bossier Parish man is accused of theft of livestock for stealing at least three race horses, bank fraud in Bossier and issuing worthless checks in Bienville parish.
Thirty-four year old Jonas Gibson, whose last known address was 700 block of Old Plain Dealing Road, Benton, La., was arrested Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at an apartment complex on Wemple Road in Bossier City, La.
Authorities say information gathered on another unrelated horse case led to Gibson being charged with forgery in regard to a set of Jockey Club horse registration papers and the theft and sale of a horse last April. The horse was reportedly stolen from Harrah’s Louisiana Downs located at 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, La. That particular horse was recovered at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. by the Louisiana State Police Gaming Unit.
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said, “Seven horses in Gibson’s possession are currently being boarded at an equine rescue facility. Brand Inspectors are investigating ownership and identifiers of the horses to determine if they could be stolen and to return them to their rightful owners. Some owners have already been contacted and charges are pending as more information and evidence is gathered.”
Bossier City Police, the Louisiana State Police, and the Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission worked together on this investigation.
The value of all horses involved is an estimated $100,000.
Anyone with information regarding this case, please call the Bossier City Police at (318) 741- 8611, the local Crime Stoppers line at (318) 424-4100, or the La. Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry Livestock Crime Stoppers line at (800) 558-9741.