Ex-police Officer Breaks Into Neighbour's Farm, Steal Cows and Sells Them at Auction

 

A former Florida police officer Keith Collins, 53, has been arrested three times since August, twice for allegedly stealing cows, and once for drug possession, reports CBS affiliate WKMG. 

 

Cops were alerted after an Osceola County rancher, Kevin Whaley, discovered that at least one of his calves was missing from his cow pen and found tall grass that was pushed over to cover a hole cut in a nearby fence, according to police.

 

Two officers drove to Kenansville and found video that allegedly showed Collins selling two calves at an auction. The calves matched the description of Whaley's calves, but officers have not verified that they both belonged to Whaley. Police also obtained a copy of a check signed by Collins, who sold the animals for $300.

 

Investigators said they used surveillance video, canceled checks and DNA testing before concluding that Collins was involved in the theft.

 

Collins, who lives in Kenansville, Fla., worked for the Osceola County Sheriff's Office for eight years before resigning in 1998. He was arrested on Aug. 11, charged with grand theft of a commercially farmed animal, and released from jail after posting bail. He was put in the back seat of a police car and allegedly seen on camera crushing a glass pipe. He is again being held in the Osceola County Jail, without bail.

 

CBS/AP