Sugar Land police officer arrested in cattle theft ring

A Sugar Land police officer is among four men arrested Wednesday in a theft ring that targeted cattle and heavy equipment, officials said.

The officer, William Allen, was charged with engaging in organized criminal activity, a first-degree felony, the Texas Department of Public Safety said.

DPS officials on Wednesday would not confirm what Allen's role was in the theft ring.

Some of items that were stolen included heavy construction equipment, cattle trailers, lawn mowers, pickup trucks and cattle with a total value of about $150,000, DPS officials said.

DPS officials identified the others taken into custody as Myles Wallace, Justin Sessums and Leon Washington, Jr.

Allen was later released from the Fort Bend County Jail after posting $50,000 bail. According to Fort Bend County records, the other men were still in jail later Wednesday.

Allen's status with the Sugar Land Police Department wasn't known.

In addition to DPS, the sheriff's offices in Fort Bend, Liberty and Brazoria counties took part in the investigation along with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Rangers.