Fact is the thief's identity was known for a fact and the law did nothing. They went beyond asking the local law for justice. Nothing happened and after enough time, I guess they decided desperate times require desperate measures.
Later I moved to SW Mo. and then there was a time when a lot of cattle was being stole and farm equipment. This went on for a couple years, then the law finally caught the guy. An old man in his 70s. He had acres of stolen tractors and such.