Friday morning in Eagle Point, Ore., a thief took a liking to a bike in the rack outside a Walmart store. As he raced away on the stolen bike, the bike’s owner and several other people tried to chase him down and failed.
As luck would have it, a local rancher named Robert Borb was in the parking lot with his horse trailer and saw the incident. He did what came naturally. He got his horse out of the trailer, mounted up, and chased down and lassoed the fleeing thief. I’m disappointed he didn’t then leap off his horse, grab three of the man’s four limbs, and throw a couple of half hitches on them with a piggin’ string. I guess leaving him on the ground clutching a tree with the rope holding one leg was sufficient. Note the well-trained horse has backed up enough to keep the rope taut.
Thank you, Mr. Borba. You’re a wonderful example of a good citizen. Have you considered giving the local cops some roping lessons? Obviously effective on fleeing criminals, and a lot less lethal than guns or Tasers.
See The Guardian’s “Rancher on horseback lassoes would-be bike bandit in Walmart parking lot” for more.
That is very cool.
It’s nice to know that some of the “old ways” are alive and well in the American West. I am surprised the rancher could get his horse out of the trailer fast enough to catch the thief while he was still in the parking lot. The horse must be very familiar with entering/exiting trailers. Or the thief was very slow.
True, I am happy now that people are getting some old ways, I think we need more to be honest.
Yep, as is so often the case, newer isn’t necessarily better.
Agreed.
fantastic.
I love this story!
Why would the local cops want something LESS lethal? Most would probably want a sub-machine gun instead of a Taser. I know that I would, and at three years old, I’m pretty sure I have the same mentality of most cops…
😛
My, my, what a smart three-year-old you are, knowing all about submachine guns and Tasers and such.
I know everything there is to know. Every three-year-old does — just ask them!
-D
Ain’t that the truth!
Thank The Good Lord for the real cowboy. They were useful back then and they are useful now!
More than useful, they’re indispensable if you love beef (and I do).
Such a great story. The Houston police and local Sheriifs have found that mounted patrols are effective, calming, and people love it. (and sadly now the horses have to have riot helmets and gear, too. but they and the dogs are the best route for “gently” ending many situations)
I knew that was why they use horses in NYC. Didn’t realize they were used in Houston. But I always get nervous seeing shod horses galloping on asphalt, regardless of what special shoes they might have.
We’ve had HPD horse patrol as far back as the 50’s that I remember. I thought all the cities did, although it just seemed normal as a “cowboy” horse-minded area. For a long time the stables were by Memorial Park ( the big one where they used to let you rent horses and go on trails there). You could go by and watch the police horses in training. A local stable offered hayrides for parties in the area. That’s very expensive property now and is covered with close to downtown town houses. Some of the businesses have horse watering stations downtown and around the city. The mounted patrols offer an elevated view and do seem to hold crime down. And who doesn’t like horses…they let you pet them.
I don’t recall living in a city with mounted police, but then I’ve always lived in the suburbs and rarely venture into downtown areas.
We thought we lived waaay out of town – now that location is prime inner loop/close-in inner city neighborhood.
Mounted patrol could have been a nod to heritage and excuse to have horses around. Lawn ornaments earning their keep. HA HA
More than ornaments. They fertilize and mow.