2 Wasco men arrested for copper wire thefts from farmlands near Lost Hills: KCSO

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Two Wasco men were arrested after allegedly stealing copper wire from an orchard near near Lost Hills, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime unit were dispatched to report of a copper wire theft in progress at an orchard near Main Drain and Carmel roads on Aug. 14 at around 6 a.m. When deputies arrived they learned of an additional copper wire theft close by, officials said in a statement.

Evidence at the scene led investigators to the 500 block of D Street in Wasco and found Leonel Acevedo, 30, and Jesus Mesa, 42, taking apart insulation from the copper wire, investigators said.

Between the evidence at the scene and the amount of copper wire found in Acevedo’s and Mesa’s possession, detectives believe the Wasco men were involved in the theft and vandalism.

The suspects were arrested and booked into the Lerdo jail for charges of illegal possession of copper wire, conspiracy, vandalism, grand theft copper wire and possession of stolen property, according to KCSO.

The office also said copper wire thefts have been increasing over the last several months in farmlands in northern Kern County. Several thousand dollars’ of repairs and damages have been caused as a result.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call KCSO Rural Crime Unit at 661-392-6093 or Secret Witness hotline at 661-322-4040.

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