Johnson County deputies are investigating an unusual theft from Monday night — 20 cows were reported stolen from the Johnson County Pavilion and Amity Sale Barn.

According to police reports, a resident purchased 20 heifers in Kentucky and locked them into a gated pen in Johnson County Monday evening. When a worker returned on Tuesday morning, the cows were gone.

The 20 were worth an estimated $21,000 and there are no permanent identifying marks such as brands or tattoos on the cattle.