Kalona man accused of stealing cattle, trailer

KALONA - An alleged cattle caper has landed a Kalona man behind bars.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the Oxford Sale Barn on July 27 for a report of four cows that had been stolen from the barn overnight.

An investigation into the theft revealed that 19-year-old Brody M. Escher, and an accomplice not named in the criminal complaints, first stole a 16-foot aluminum livestock trailer from Frytown Trailers in Kalona before taking the trailer to the sale barn and stealing the cattle, according to the complaints.

Deputies said Escher admitted to stealing the trailer and loading the cattle on it. He had intended to sell the cattle and keep the proceeds, authorities said.

The trailer is valued at $10,400 and the cattle were worth $7,000, deputies said.

Escher has been arrested and faces charges of first-degree theft, a Class C felony; and second-degree theft, a Class D felony. If convicted of both offenses, Escher could spend up to 15 years in prison.