Geronimo Stolen with Trailer in Virginia - Recovered Quickly thanks to NetPosse info!

Geronimo and another horse were stolen from a stable in Virginia Beach, Virginia, along with a trailer. The safe recovery of the horses and trailer happened quickly once the public was besieged with information via NetPosse, which went out over the Internet and to the media.

Here is Jan's story of Geronimo's Theft and Recovery ...

Stolen Gelding Recovered Quickly !

I am very happy to tell you all the the stolen horses and trailer have been recovered as of last evening! I am amazed at the incredible response to the postings on the RS and DC Digest.

I had many, many emails requesting more info and the flyer with photos. Many of you passed the word along to other horse groups and they contacted me for info as well. It is very heartening to see this incredible response.

The police feel certain that the flood of info on the internet and the TV and newspaper coverage of the theft helped to recover the horses and trailer.

Both horses were in good condition, had their blankets on and seemed none the worse for their experience.

The owners are most appreciative of all the help. Our network is a powerful one and it does work!!!

I suggest that you all go to the web site www.NetPosse.info and read about that organization - they are an invaluable tool to be used in cases of horse/trailer/tack theft.

If you would be kind enough to pass this word on to those that you had shared the info to I would be most appreciative, not sure I can answer all of the emails that I received!!

Thank you all so much and happy holidays to you and your families.

Jan Goodmundson
RS Old Dominion Region

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Arrest Made - The police have arrested two teenage girls in connection with the thefts. One of the girls was a past employee of one of the farms. The girls took the horses to a boarding barn in another part of the city. People there noticed two new horses that they didn't know about and called police

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I was at the Southern Horse Festival in NC when these horses were stolen doing one of the things I do...promoting awareness and education. While at the event many people came by my booth and told me about these horses. I placed a call to Sali Gear from the show and left a message. Numerous emails have hit my mail box on these horses.

Thank you Jan for keeping me updated! Thank you Sali for sensing what to do first. Thank you everyone else who passed an email to my box or to a friend. A special thanks to Law Enforcement involved and the news media. It all matters!

It looks like education is paying off. Friends of the victim sprung in to action, news went out publicly through the news media, emails were sent with flyers. I have been posting to list groups for years hoping that not only would people help with posting and disseminating information but also hoping for an educational process to occur...

Trainers train you how to work with your horse and solve the training problems. I have been trying to teach awareness and how to protect and recover horses. It has been my hope that people would help each other and themselves through education. We are seeing the results. This case is a great example!

Never underestimate the power of one!!!!

Debi Metcalfe
Stolen Horse International, Inc.

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Emails traveled rampantly when the plea went out of find Geronimo. Here is just one example:

Please be on the look out for this horse, a chestnut gelding with 4 socks, blaze, and tatoo on his lip, currently missing a hind shoe (attention farriers!)

He was stolen from a stable in Virginia Beach off London Bridge Road the night of 12/04/03. Another horse that I don't have a description of was also stolen along with some tack and feed and a late model bumper pull trailer, a Gore with a dressing room I believe.

With the help of the horse community, maybe he'll be home by Christmas. Lets send these photos nationwide and get this child's horse back.

Thanks for your help,
Jane