'I Miss Him:' Stolen Pony Sought Across The IE, Parents Seek Answers

JURUPA VALLEY, CA — It's been days since 6-year-old Ruben Vasquez Jr. has seen his beloved pony. His family is doing everything possible to find the missing horse and bring it back home.

On Friday evening, the pony was taken from their property by a thief who used bolt cutters to pry apart a chain link fence and take the tiny equine.

A police report was filed with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, and Jurupa Valley Sheriff's Station deputies were investigating the disappearance. Still, the investigation has had little movement, according to the boy's mother, Mayra Anguiano. Her son was learning to ride the beloved 2-year-old horse, she said.

On Wednesday, she pleaded with the community, including her city council member, Armando Carmona, to spur along the investigation.

"[Ruben's] holding onto hope to bring his best friend home," Carmona wrote on Facebook. "I’m doing everything I can to help, but we need the community’s support. If you have any information, please reach out."

Ruben Vaszuez Sr. is best known locally as Rábano. He's a former bull rider and a cowboy, who now trains horses for a living.

About an hour after Vasquez Sr. arrived home, he noticed the family's two ponies were where they should be. About an hour later, when he went out to feed them, the white pony—"Little Evil"— was gone.

So was part of their fence. Thus far, there are no leads.

"I imagine they wanted [the larger] one but couldn't take him out, so they took the other one," Ruben Vasquez Sr. told reporters.

The children spend most of their time outdoors with the animals, and little Ruben sees himself as a cowboy, just like his dad. He loves being on horses all day, and even riding the sheep, his mother told Patch. Since the pony was taken, she says her son "goes to the corral and stares, very sad. (Ruben Jr.) says he hopes they bring him back so he can ride again."

The family has said they will raise money to purchase another pony for their son, but they remain hopeful that someone will help them find "Little Evil." They will keep looking.

If you have any information on the pony's disappearance, contact Deupty Mercado of the Jurupa Valley Sheriff's Department at 951-955-2600.