Wanted Serial Cattle Thief Corralled by Tom Green County Sheriff's Deputies

SAN ANGELO, TX – A serial cattle thief wanted in Scurry County was caught hiding in the closet in a home in Grape Creek last week.

As previously reported, on Nov. 9, 2021, Cooper Layne Hatley, 25, of Hermleigh, was arrested by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers after a string of cattle thefts. For the original story see: Get a Rope – Serial Cattle Thief Tried to Pass Hot Checks

Nearly two years later, warrants for Hatley's arrest were issued for bail jumping, failure to appear on a theft of property job, violation of probation on a theft of livestock charge, and theft of livestock charge. According to the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office, the Scurry County Sheriff's Office sent out a 'Be On the Look Out' (BOLO) for Hatley.

In the BOLO, the SCSO claimed that Hatley's whereabout could've been in Tom Green County. The TGCSO CID Investigator followed up on the lead and began a fugitive investigation. The investigation led them to a residence  in the 7000 block of Wren Road. Investigators made contact with the home owner who gave consent to search the residence, Hatley was found hiding in a closet.

Hatley was booked into the Tom Green County Jail on June 14, 2023. He was handed over to the SCSO on June 20, 2023.