Published: February 08, 2008 05:24 pm         

Deputy nabs man accused of stealing saddles in six states

MINERAL WELLS, Texas — A Mineral Wells, Texas, businessman's call to police led to the arrest of a man facing charges in six states.

Palo Pinto County Sheriff Ira Mercer praised the actions of a local RV park owner who recognized David Elmo Henry Jr., ’s face from a wanted poster pinned to a wall inside his office. Henry, 55, was in the office to check in when the business owner realized Henry’s face was among those on the poster, officials said.

He contacted law enforcement agents, Mercer said, and a deputy arrested Henry at the RV park Thursday afternoon without incident. He was booked into jail listing an address in Rupert, Idaho.

“He’s got warrants out of six different states – Arkansas, Idaho, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nevada,” Mercer said. “He was a saddle and tack thief.”

He said they were able to recover one stolen saddle and had additional tack and spurs to examine.

“I’m really glad we got him before he could set up shop,” the sheriff said.

West of Fort Worth, Texas, Palo Pinto County is in an area of North Texas with some of the highest concentrations of horses and ranches in the country.

Henry has a criminal record that "stretches back 30 years," the sheriff said.

Mercer said Henry had “six different driver’s licenses,” and an extensive list of aliases such as “Bronc,” “Cowboy” and “David Hill.”

One Arkansas victim had posted Henry’s poster and information on her ranch’s Web site.

“We’re so happy he’s arrested,” said Bette McKinney, owner of the Bar 50 Ranch in Bismarck, Ark., when contacted Friday afternoon.

She said Henry had worked at their ranch for three or four months in the fall of 2006.

“He took saddles and guns and tack,” McKinney alleged.

Mercer said Henry waived extradition and he will be sent to the first state to request him. Henry remained in Palo Pinto County Jail Friday awaiting transfer.



Lacie Morrison writes for Mineral Wells (Texas) Index.