HERNDON — Cattle rustling may be on the rise in lower Northumberland County, according to a Lower Mahanoy Township farmer.

Michael Schwalm reported to state police at Stonington that six of his prized Angus heifers were missing from his cattle pen off New Road. He told police they were taken between 3:30 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday.

"This is the fourth theft in a 25-mile area," Schwalm said Tuesday. State police at Stonington were unable to confirm the other thefts.

The six cattle weighed about 600 pounds each and are valued at $3,900.

"I checked the property and saw they were missing," Schwalm said.

"I then saw where they were picked up and how they were loaded."

State police report a truck and trailer were used to remove the cows.

Five of the cattle were black. One was red. All were wearing blue ear tags ranging in number from 430 to 450. The cows also have cropped tail hair.

"They were feeder cows," Schwalm said. "They were cows that were turned out to pasture."

Anyone with information is asked to call Stonington state police at 286-5601.

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