Following a month-long investigation, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit was able to locate a pony stolen from a well-known equestrian center in the county.
Penny the pony was reported missing on March 7. The 29-year-old mare pony was housed at Turkey Creek Stables located at 5534 Turkey Creek Road in Plant City.
Over the course of an investigation, deputies identified Joel Johnathan Lopez, 18, as a person of interest in the case. On Wednesday, April 8, deputies from the Agricultural Crimes Unit located Lopez. He confessed to stealing Penny from the stables. At the time of the crime, Lopez was employed by a pony party business.
Deputies took Lopez into custody and transported him to the Orient Road Jail. He was processed and charged with Grand Theft (Animal), which is a third-degree felony in Florida.
Penny was found uninjured and safely returned to her home at Turkey Creek Stables.
"This is one example of the diligent work our Agricultural Crimes Unit does to not only protect the people of Hillsborough County but also their animals," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "I am disgusted that someone would steal a horse for their own monetary gain. I again commend these hard-working deputies for their diligence to return this mare back to her home unharmed."
