Deputies search for seven stolen horses

Forsyth County sheriff’s deputies are looking for someone who stole seven horses and 80 items of horse-riding equipment last month from a pasture and a barn in northern Forsyth.

The incident occurred about 6 p.m. April 29 when the horses and the equipment were taken from a pasture and a barn off 5800 Germanton Road, according to a sheriff’s office report. The horses and the equipment, including saddles and bridles, are valued at $40,000, the report said.

Chief Deputy Brad Stanley of the sheriff’s office said that an investigator has leads in connection with the theft.

“We have assigned a detective, and he is working the case,” Stanley said.

Carlos Ervin of Winston-Salem, a co-owner of the horses, said he leases the pasture where the horses were grazing before they were stolen. The horses, which range in age from 2½ years old to 9 years old, are three geldings and four mares, he said.

Ervin feared that the horses would be sold at horse auctions conducted last weekend in Mount Airy, Archdale and Vale, a community in northwest Lincoln County, he said. But Ervin and the horses’ other co-owner went to those auctions, and they didn’t see their horses.

NetPosse, a division of Stolen Horse International Inc. of Shelby, has posted the theft of the horses on its website along with their descriptions and pictures. It is a nonprofit organization of volunteers who help horse owners find their stolen animals.

RESOURCE: Posted: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 12:12 am, John Hinton/Winston-Salem Journal Winston-Salem Journal

“I think those horses are somewhere here locally,” Ervin said. “Hopefully, we will get them back.” jhinton@wsjournal.com

* "One source says 40,000 to 55,000 are stolen each year." - These numbers are based on a study done in the late 90's. There are no current numbers available.