1 arrested in string of wire copper thefts, causing over $100K in property damage in SW Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Kern County Sherriff’s deputies arrested a man who is allegedly responsible for a string of copper wire thefts from farmland and oilfield properties in southwest portion of Kern County.

On Monday, deputies with the KCSO Taft substation responded to the 300 block of Pierce Street, just north of Cedar Street, in Taft for reports of a stolen vehicle parked in an alley. Detectives approached the vehicle and found several stands of large gauge copper wire in the back of the stolen truck.

During their investigation, officials found evidence that allegedly connected the 34-year-old man Taft man was involved in several copper wire theft that were under investigation.

KCSO said they have seen a large rise in copper wire thefts from farmland and oilfield properties around the southwest area of Kern County. The thefts have caused significant damage to the victims property, which caused over $100,000 in damages.

The Taft man was arrested and booked into the Kern jail for grand theft auto, possession of stolen vehicle, theft of copper wire, possession of burglary tools and stolen property.

Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to call KCSO’s rural crime investigations unit at 661-392-6093 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 661-322-4040.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.