A string of cattle thefts in Freestone and Navarro counties were cleared last week when the suspect turned himself into authorities.

Charged in the thefts is Audie Lopes, 26, of Fairfield.

Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Jimmy Dickson, Freestone county sheriff’s office Detective Ted Hendrix and Navarro county sheriff’s Detective Randy Clay conducted the investigation.

Lopes has been charged with four counts of cattle theft after allegedly stealing 35 head of cattle.

The thefts occurred in the two counties in February and March.

Dickson says authorities belived early on that the thefts in the two counties were connected, and that their investigation proved them right.

TSCRA has 29 special rangers stationed throughout Texas and Oklahoma who have in-depth knowledge of the cattle industry and are trained in all facets of law enforcement.

All are commissioned as special rangers by the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.