Temecula Pair Suspected Of Stealing Pricey Horse In Thermal

THERMAL, CA — A pricey Thoroughbred horse went missing last month from a ranch in Thermal. Now, authorities say a man and woman from Temecula stole her.

The bay mare valued at approximately $80,000 was reported stolen on Nov. 26 from a ranch located in the 56000 block of Monroe Street, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The law enforcement agency did not disclose the horse's name or age, and it's unclear why she was valued at such a high dollar amount. The pricey figure is uncommon for Thoroughbreds, unless the mare was a successful sport horse or a top breeding prospect.

Whatever the factor, investigators allege 22-year-old Zachery Logan Cobbs and 27-year-old Cinderella Von Falkenhausen, both of Temecula, stole the animal. A possible motive is unclear.

The pair was arrested Dec. 22 in Indio and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of grand theft and conspiracy to commit theft.

The horse is still not home, though deputies are continuing to work to recover her and return her to her rightful owner, according to the sheriff's department.

Thermal has a strong equestrian identity. The unincorporated community is home to the Desert International Horse Park, which hosts top-level hunter/jumper and dressage competitions between October and March each year. Developers are proposing to relocate the equestrian venue to a much larger property, though that plan is still in the works.

Anyone with information regarding the horse theft case is encouraged to contact Deputy F. Lopez of the Rural Crime Team at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station: 760-863-8990.