Saddle investigation ‘looks promising’

SALEM, Ohio – As more horse saddles were stolen last week across northern Ohio, detectives got a break.

A man in Tuscarawas County who buys and sells tack equipment heard from a customer that one of the saddles for sale was stolen from his stable, said Tuscarawas County Detective Scott Ballentine.

The tack dealer called the police, and the Tuscarawas County sheriff’s department recovered 16 stolen saddles and five stolen sulkies March 3.

Portage County detective Ed Kennedy is handling the prosecution and said the case is still under investigation but “looks promising.”

Adding up. Since mid-February, saddles were stolen from at least two stables in Portage County and one in Geauga County.

Kennedy suspects there may be more saddles missing that weren’t reported.

Recovered goods. Two of the saddles found in Tuscarawas County belonged to Rich Bradshaw of Geauga County.

Bradshaw, who trains horses, rents a barn at the county fairgrounds. The night of Feb. 26, someone kicked in the office door and reportedly stole two antique saddles, Bradshaw said.

Ballentine said he is trying to identify the owners of the remaining saddles and sulkies.

If you have any information, call Kennedy at the Portage County detective bureau at 330-297-3890.