An investigation into the theft of cattle from a farm near Lewis has resulted in the arrest of a Nebraska man, and arrest warrants for two other Nebraskans. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office reports 57-year old Ervin John Jacob, of Omaha, was arrested Jan. 22nd following the execution of a search warrant in Omaha.

Ervin John Jacob (Cass Co. Sheriff’s Dept. photo)

Jacob was arrested on three Class D felony counts of Theft in the 2nd degree, and a Class-D felony charge of ongoing Criminal Conduct, for his involvement in three incidents of cattle theft.

The Cass County District Court has also issued warrants for 49-year old James Michael Brunzo, of Omaha, for two counts of Theft 2nd for his complicity in the thefts that took place May 28th, 2014, and June 9th, 2014,  and for 42-year old Amy Louise Springer,  of Omaha, NE, who faces  one count of Theft 2nd Degree for her complicity in a theft that took place January 6th, 2015.

The investigation into the trio’s activities began on May 28th, 2014, when the Cass County Sheriff’s Office took a report of the overnight theft of two cattle from Freund Brothers Farms in Lewis. On June 9, 2014, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office took another report of the theft of four cattle from JW Freund Farms in Lewis, IA. Again, on January 6, 2015, Freund Brothers Farms reported the theft of two more cattle overnight. On January 16, 2015, Cass County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office, conducted a search warrant in Omaha, Nebraska, with the assistance of the Omaha Police Department and the Cuming County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office.

Cass County authorities were assisted in their investigation by the Cuming County, Nebraska, Sheriff’s Office, the Omaha Police Department, and the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Massena Sale Barn, Rolling Hills Bank & Trust, and citizens, whose tips assisted in the outcome of the investigation.