OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a large cattle theft at a ranch in Kenansville.

Officials said some 53 crossbred yearlings, most weighing over 500 pounds, were removed from pens located at the ranch headquarters.

A $10,000 reward has been posted for anyone that knows the details concerning the missing cattle.

Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez believe it’s likely an inside job.

“It could have been someone from the inside. These things would be going to market. Because it’s not just anybody that can access that,” said Lopez.

According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the 53 yearlings were removed from pens and transported off the property in stock trailers unbeknownst to the owners. 

It happened sometime in September and investigators said the cattle were estimated to be worth $100,000.

If there’s anybody that knows cattle ranching, it’s Kevin Whaley. 

His family has been raising animals on Osceola County soil since the civil war and has had livestock stolen in the past.

“They get a tip whatever that nobody is going to be around. And they back their truck right over there and load them on there,” said Whaley.

Whaley says the thief was eventually caught and prosecuted by authorities.

He says many cattle robbers steal for drug money.

“A lot of times, it has to do with drugs. You know, they are hunting money. To pay for something. When they stole them from me, beef cattle prices had come way up,” said Whaley.

Rising beef prices, some fetching as much as $2,500 per head, is why some thieves turn to cattle rustling. 

Rancher & County Commissioner Rickey Booth, who’s family’s been raising cattle since the 1800s says modern day ranchers have to keep an eye on their stock, just as if they owned a department store. 

He’s suggests using technology.

“We have cameras on our operations, and I think a lot of folks have cameras on their operations, not for just seeing people come in, but for hunting as well,” said Booth.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, agriculture is Osceola County’s second largest industry, generating $182.6 billion in revenues to the state’s economy and supporting more than 2.5 million jobs.

Crimeline is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest of the cattle theft at the Overstreet Ranch in Osceola County.