$40,000 of original work missing from Missouri artist after trailer stolen
GRANDVIEW, Mo. — Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating after a local artist said her UTV, trailer and thousands of dollars' worth of original artwork were all stolen off her property in Cleveland, Missouri.
Grandview police recovered the trailer outside the O'Reilly Auto Parts store.
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Owner Beth Houts said the more than $40,000 worth of original artwork and equipment that was inside is nowhere to be found.
'I immediately started crying because it was all my life's work,' Houts said. 'I put in blood, sweat and tears in my work, making the handmade pieces. So, it was devastating.'
Houts is a wildlife photographer. She travels the country capturing and creating original pieces, some of which you may have spotted in places like the Lowes Kansas City Hotel.
She said more than $40,000 worth of artwork and equipment was inside her trailer, which was sitting on her land in Cleveland, Missouri.
She said in April, thieves stole her UTV, trailer and the original artwork inside.
Houts said she found out when a stranger sent her a message on Facebook, asking if she was missing a trailer.
Houts told police someone saw the trailer in Grandview, near E. 151st Street and Barat Avenue, just east of 71 Highway.
'They had painted over my logo on the trailer,' Houts said. 'Because it had my website, my phone number, all of my information on it.'
Grandview police said they confirmed the Cass County Sheriff's Office was investigating a trailer theft.
About an hour later, police said a Grandview officer found the trailer outside the O'Reilly Auto Parts store.
Police said they contacted three people, and arrested one suspect, who's been transferred to another jurisdiction for warrants.
Days later, someone sent Houts the location of her stolen UTV.
Kansas City police said they recovered the vehicle near E. 75th Terrace and Manchester Avenue.
'He had proof that he had purchased it on Facebook Marketplace,' Houts said.
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The trailer and UTV are back with Houts, but no sign of her artwork or $10,000 worth of equipment.
Houts wasn't able to display all her work at the East of Oak Art Fest last weekend, cutting into her income.
Houts said she typically makes thousands of dollars at these art shows.
Trey Sabates is the owner of Brookside Wine and Spirits. Their team set Houts up with a table at the event and GoFundMe page to support.
'It's horrible that it was taken from her in the way that it was,' Sabates said. 'So, we just wanted to do anything that we could and rally around her as a community.'
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'I'm grateful there are still good people in this world and in this community who reach out their hand when people are hurting,' Houts said.
If you have any information, call the Cass Co. Sheriff's Office at (816) 380-5200 or you can go here.
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