Arapaho Man Accused of Cattle Rustling

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June 14, 2021

By News Director Jared Atha

An Arapaho man was arrested recently after allegedly stealing cattle from local farmers.

According to a probable cause affidavit, 64-year-old Jimmy Helfer was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, larceny of domestic animals and threatening to perform an act of violence when, on June 4, authorities with the Custer County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call of livestock theft at the intersection of State Highway 33 and 183, four miles north of Arapaho.

When deputies arrived to the location, which was land owned by the suspect, they found Helfer there and was agitated. The court document would say that Helfer told authorities that it was he who was the victim of livestock theft, and that he would “take care of him” for committing the crime.

While talking with Helfer, the owner of the cattle came onto Helfer’s land to reclaim his cattle. This caused Helfer to get into his pickup and chase after men on horseback, who were rounding up the cattle. While pursuing Helfer through the field, deputies would observe Helfer come to a stop, get out of his truck, and attempt to reach for something from the back seat. The affidavit would say that before Helfer could grab anything, he was detained by authorities.

Deputies would locate a gun in Helfer’s truck.

Helfer was arrested and booked into the Custer County Jail. A preliminary hearing for Helfer is scheduled for July 9.

The cattle were returned to their rightful owners.