Sturgis, Michigan, may lack the global recognition associated with its South Dakotan counterpart, but the small town recently captured headlines with a peculiar incident that could easily fit into the wild and vibrant atmosphere of a motorcycle haven.
The unusual story unfolded at the local Walmart when an Amish horse and buggy were stolen.
The owners of the buggy had entered the Sturgis Walmart over the weekend. Shortly afterward, the town’s Department of Public Safety received a call reporting the theft of the buggy and its horse. According to a witness, a woman was seen taking the horse and buggy, but her escape was short-lived.
The police found the rig a few blocks away and apprehended the suspect at a nearby motel. Interestingly, law enforcement had already interacted with her earlier that day, and she now faces charges of larceny and larceny of livestock.
While the horse and buggy were returned unharmed to their owners, the comedic aspect of the incident cannot be overstated. Even in a town like Sturgis, situated near the Indiana border with a thriving Amish community, stealing a horse and buggy is far from inconspicuous.
Just as a manual transmission might deter car thieves, it’s not surprising that an inexperienced buggy driver didn’t make much headway.
Vehicle thefts, particularly of certain car brands, have been on the rise for a few years. However, a comprehensive search of the internet reveals that horse and buggy thefts were more prevalent in the 1800s, with only a handful of such incidents reported today.
Criminals, it seems, don’t always act logically, but the majority seem to recognize that caring for a horse, along with navigating an escape at less-than-optimal speeds, is not the most effective strategy for evading justice.
