6 Arrested In Separate Florida Cattle Thefts; 8 Cows Missing

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LAKELAND (CBSMiami/AP) — It's as beefy a situation as you'll see in cow country.

Six men have been charged in two separate cattle thefts at a Florida pasture, and authorities are trying to find eight missing cows.

Polk County Sheriff's officials say four cows and four calves were stolen in April from a Lakeland pasture. Investigators found its fence cut open.

In a Facebook post Friday, sheriff's officials said three men were arrested for grand theft of livestock and dealing in stolen property.

A tip led investigators this month to one suspect, who sold cattle for $4,000 at an April auction. The sheriff's office was working to find those animals.

In a statement posted Saturday, officials said three other men attempted to steal two more calves from the same pasture June 8. Those men face charges of grand theft of livestock and confining animals without food or water.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)