One complaint exposed $800K Texas grain theft spanning 176 loads
A March theft report grew into a statewide investigation involving grain facilities across Texas. Authorities are examining more than 200 loads, and additional arrests remain possible. The post One complaint exposed $800K Texas grain theft spanning 176 loads appeared first on FreightWaves .
Texas authorities uncovered an extensive grain theft scheme involving 176 loads weighing approximately 9.12 million pounds, valued at over $800,000. The investigation, which began on March 11 after a complaint from Guadalupe County, initially focused on a single complaint but expanded to include more than 200 confirmed or potentially stolen shipments.
Three men—Larry Regalado, Ricky Regalado, and Pablo Franco Jr.—face criminal charges, with additional arrests possible. The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, collaborating with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and law enforcement agencies from Navarro, Ellis, Williamson, Frio, and Guadalupe counties, as well as Taylor police.
Records reviewed by TDA helped trace cargo movements across various locations and jurisdictions, shedding light on the organized nature of the crime. Investigators found that participants removed loaded semi-trailers without authorization from different facilities. The incident highlights how a single theft can expose a network of criminal activity operating across multiple jurisdictions.
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