Social media may have played a role in the theft of five head of cattle from an Aldergrove rancher.

On Saturday evening, May 13, three young heifers and two steers escaped their enclosure at 256 Street, just north of 24 Avenue.

A neighbour posted a notice on a Facebook page that cattle were seen roaming the area, and included a picture. The person likely posted the information to help reunite the farmer and his cattle.

But thieves may have other ideas of what to do with the information, said police.

Not long after the information about the roaming cattle was posted, two men in a grey diesel truck, pulling a dark gooseneck trailer, arrived. They loaded all five animals into the trailer and drove off. One of the men is described as having longer blond hair.

91原创 RCMP confirmed that it was not the owner who picked up the roaming cattle.

鈥淭hrough Facebook, the owner of the cattle were tipped off that his cattle were on a property in Surrey. Officers went to the address and spoke to the renter of that property who said he didn鈥檛 know anything about it. The stolen cattle were not there,鈥� said 91原创 RCMP Sgt. Alex Mulvihill. 鈥淚t鈥檚 unknown if the cows were actually there at any time.鈥�

The stolen calves are almost fully grown and are dark red and white in colour.

They are tagged but not branded, said the owner. He is now offering a $1,000 reward for information on his missing cows.

He also said it is very rare for cattle to be stolen in this area.

鈥淭he cattle are worth between $7,500 and $10,000. So far, police have not been able to locate the cattle and we do consider this a theft. Police continue to investigate,鈥� said Mulvihill.

Anyone with information on this theft is asked to call 91原创 RCMP at 604-532-3200. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Meanwhile, ranchers across B.C. and Alberta have been sharing the original Facebook post about the stolen cattle, in a community effort to help find them.