The Haskell County Sheriff's Office is investigating after someone stole a catalytic converter from a nonprofit that rescues animals across the county.
The "Chasing Miracles Animal Rescue" bus is supposed to make a 13-hour drive to Illinois on Friday, with 75 animals on board.
"Dogs, cats, horses, we've taken a little bit of everything. Everywhere from bearded dragons to chickens,” Chasing Miracles Animal Rescue President and Founder Cheryl Greenmyer said.
She said the bus may not make the trip, after someone stole the bus’s catalytic converter while she and her husband were gone for the holiday. Late Thursday afternoon, she said the parts arrived in the mail.
"We're kind of scrambling trying to get it fixed,” she said.
Cheryl said she and her husband, Tyson Greenmyer, have been running the nonprofit for five years and have helped transport almost 700 animals to Illinois this year alone.
"They have spay and neuter laws so they don't have near the overpopulation that we have here,” Cheryl said.
Cheryl and her husband Tyson run a thrift store off Highway 9 in Stigler. They said money made there, along with cash donations, are what help keep the non-profit going. The couple said fixing the bus will set them back about a thousand dollars.
"That expense is going to take money away from us saving animals,” she said. "If we don't go in and take them out, they get euthanized. And that just saves their life. There's so many good ones that need families, that deserve a family. And that's just our passion."
Cheryl said the trip will still happen Friday, whether the bus is fixed or not. She said they will take the animals in their van if they need to.
Haskell County deputies are investigating and said surveillance video shows the man they want to find.
"There needs to be some accountability,” Cheryl said.
Investigators said they have a few leads and are asking anyone who recognizes the man or his truck to give them a call at (918) 967-2400.