BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Two men were arrested for alleged theft of copper wire in rural Kern County on Wednesday, August 14 amid a spike in copper wire theft in the area, said the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said over several months, deputies said they have seen a continued increase in copper wire theft in rural and farmland areas around northern Kern. The thefts have caused several thousands of dollars worth of damage and repairs, said KCSO.
At around 6 a.m. Wednesday, detectives were notified of a possible copper wire theft in an orchard near Main Drain Road and Carmel Road. They arrived and began to investigate.
While in the area, detectives learned of another possible wire theft nearby. Detectives said they found evidence leading them to the 500 block of D Street in Wasco. When they arrived, they found two suspects allegedly stripping the insulation from copper wire.
They were identified as:
- Leonel Acevedo 30, of Wasco
- Jesus Mesa, 42, of Wasco
KCSO said based on the evidence found and the amount of copper wire, Acevedo and Mesa allegedly in their possession, led detectives to determine that they were involved in theft and and vandalism.
Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Lerdo Jail on charges of illegal possession of copper wire, conspiracy, vandalism, grand theft of copper wire, and possession of stolen property.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigations Unit at (661) 392-6093 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661) 322-4040.