Truckload of rodeo bulls stolen in downtown Nashville

A truck loaded with prize rodeo bulls was hijacked in downtown Nashville late Friday night.
Between 12 and 25 bulls were on the truck, ready to be delivered to Nashville Municipal Auditorium for Saturday night's Professional Champion Bullriding show, when a thief jumped into the cab around 10:30 p.m.

According to eyewitnesses, the woman who was driving the truck at the time was able to jump to safety, despite the carjacker's attempt to keep her inside.

“They had just loaded the bulls into a trailer, and the truck was running, and a subject jumped into the driver’s seat of the truck and fled the scene,” said Metro Police Sgt. Robert Durbin of the central precinct.

Bill Sauber, whose family is organizing the rodeo show, witnessed the crime. The truck was one of several delivering animals to the show overnight, and Sauber said the rodeo should continue as scheduled Saturday, whether the bulls are recovered or not.

"I can't imagine why anyone would want to steal a truck full of bulls," he said. "It could be even worse if they decide to release them in the city somewhere, I suppose."