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Warrants issued after stolen horse found

Posted July 11, 2007 11:00 pm

Kevin Sampier

Arrest warrants were issued Wednesday for several suspects in the theft of a horse last March from Black Hawk College in Kewanee.

Assistant Henry County State's Attorney James Cosby said one of the four suspects has been given a notice to appear in court, while warrants for the other three have been issued.

Cosby declined to name the four people believed to be involved in the theft of Sizzle, an 18-year-old mare with a distinctive strawberry-reddish brown coat and a black mane and tail. The horse, valued at $2,500, was taken March 10.

Richard Fiems, chief of public safety at the college, said Wednesday one suspect is a former or current student at the school. He also said each suspect faces one count of burglary and one count of theft.

Fiems also said all four suspects are from LaSalle County.

The horse was spotted Saturday during a Fourth of July parade in Streator by Desirae Haar, a graduate of the college's equestrian program.

When she recognized the horse, Haar flagged down a Streator police officer, Fiems said. Police notified the college and the public safety department, which identified the horse as Sizzle.

The people who had Sizzle in the parade said they purchased her five weeks ago and didn't know she was stolen, Fiems said.

The horse seemed a little thin, Fiems said, but was otherwise unharmed.

Fiems said Sizzle is now back at her summer stable.

Security camera footage from March 10 shows three people entering a barn on the school's campus and taking the horse.

Fiems and other school officials have said the theft was likely committed by people who were familiar with the equestrian program and who specifically targeted Sizzle.

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