Detectives seek 2 men in connection with horse killing in Palmetto
Detectives seek 2 men in connection with horse killing in Palmetto
MANATEE -- Investigators with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office are looking for two men in connection with the Palmetto showhorse killing last week who were caught on surveillance video at a nearby business.
The 1,300-pound animal, recently purchased by Debbie Stephens of Imperial Farms Equestrian Center in rural Palmetto from an owner in Germany, was led from his stall at Imperial Farms sometime between 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 and 6:45 a.m. Oct. 25, taken to a pen in the back of the 27-acre farm, killed and expertly butchered, said Debbie Stephens' husband, Steve Stephens, 64, who has owned Imperial Farms since the early 1960s.
Stephens recently bought the horse, named Phedras de Blondel, to be her future superstar show jumper. He was valued at $200,000.
Two men were caught on surveillance video at a nearby Circle K at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Moccasin Wallow Road in northern Manatee County at 5 a.m. Oct. 25, according to the release. The two were driving a large vehicle also caught on video.
Dave Bristow, spokesman for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, said the two men are not suspects, but detectives are interested in talking to them.
"We want to talk to them because of the timing," Bristow said. "They might have seen something."
Investigators believe the perpetrator was someone wanting horse meat, knew the farm had horses and took Phedras because he was a big, heavy horse, Bristow has said.
Anyone with information on the men in the video or anything else relating to the case can call the sheriff's office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2542 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS. Crime Stoppers, in conjunction with the owners of the horse, is offering a reward of up to $30,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for this crime.
This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Detectives seek 2 men in connection with horse killing in Palmetto ."