Authorities in Jack County have reported the arrest of a man who allegedly stole a deer feeder from a property that had been left unlocked to facilitate access for firefighters. The property owner had opened the site on Rock Creek Road to aid emergency crews combating the Ross wildfire.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Quint Thomas Hare, faces a theft charge for property valued between $750 and $2,500. This charge has been elevated to a felony due to the nature of the incident occurring during an officially declared disaster.
According to the Jack County Sheriff’s Office, the property owner had granted open access to support firefighters in their efforts to safeguard lives and property. As of now, the Ross wildfire remains only 31% contained and has spread across more than 85,000 acres in both Jack and Palo Pinto counties.
Investigators reported that Hare took advantage of the situation to steal the deer feeder. Game cameras captured images of the vehicle and trailer used in the theft, leading authorities to successfully locate the feeder in Young County and return it to its rightful owner.
Hare was apprehended by investigators in Young County and subsequently transported back to Jack County.
Jack County Sheriff T-Bob Hauger expressed strong condemnation of the theft, stating, “Let me be very clear: We will absolutely not tolerate anyone using a disaster as an opportunity to prey on our citizens. Taking advantage of access left unlocked for firefighters is not only criminal, it is sorry and inexcusable. If you steal from our citizens while deputies and firefighters are risking their safety to protect this county, we will work however many hours it takes to identify you, recover the property and make sure you are arrested and put in jail.”
