Authorities Investigate Horse Theft Near Sparks

Word traveled quickly on social media Tuesday morning about 10 missing horses from the area. Homeowner Timmi Baker said her home was also cleaned out by the thief.

Tuesday, August 12th 2014, 6:51 pm

By: News 9

Authorities Investigate Horse Theft Near Sparks

Word traveled quickly on social media Tuesday morning about 10 missing horses from the Sparks, Okla. area. Homeowner Timmi Baker said her home was also cleaned out by the thief.

The loss of the horses was what mobilized the community. The horses on Baker's property were there to help family and friends deal with difficult situations. They were like members of the Baker family.

“I can tell you their personalities, I can tell you what they look like, they can, every marking," said Baker. "I would know them from any other horse.”

Originally believed to be 11 horses missing, Baker found one of them.

“These are family members, they belong to children. Children come out to ride them. It's their peace of mind,” she explained. “I've hand raised all but maybe three. They were born here, raised here from babies. They're not just another animal.”

The loss of 10 horses from the farm rallied the community to try to find the horses. Baker's husband and a friend even took to the sky, flying in a plane overhead looking for signs of the missing horses.

“Hard thing is, like I said, one of her horses was one of them that got stolen, so how to explain to a 13-year-old little girl that's got a hard enough time right now, your horse is gone,” Baker said.

The girl's mother is very sick with cancer.

Baker is convinced someone scoped out the property for some time before committing the crime. They are normally at the farm three or more times every week, but since their friend has become sick, they had been going less. Baker said the thief ransacked the house, stealing furniture, the stove and the refrigerator.

The Lincoln County Sheriff said investigators were looking into the incident. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the horses should call the sheriff's office at 405-258-1191.