1 was arrested in a series of copper wire thefts that caused over $100,000 in property damage in southwestern Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – Kern County sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man allegedly responsible for a series of copper wire thefts on farmland and oilfield properties in the southwestern part of Kern County.

On Monday, officers from the KCSO Taft Substation responded to the 300 block of Pierce Street, north of Cedar Street, in Taft on reports of a stolen vehicle parked in an alley. Investigators approached the vehicle and found several large bundles of copper wire in the bed of the stolen truck.

During their investigation, officers found evidence that the 34-year-old Taft man was allegedly involved in several copper wire thefts that were being investigated.

KCSO said it has seen a sharp increase in copper wire thefts on farmland and oilfield properties around the southwestern area of ​​Kern County. The thefts caused significant damage to the victim’s property, causing damages in excess of $100,000.

The Taft man was arrested and booked into Kern Jail on charges of grand theft auto, possession of a stolen vehicle, theft of copper wire, possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property.

Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the KCSO Rural Crime Investigation Unit at 661-392-6093 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 661-322-4040.