April 6, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on April 4, 2026, at 4:56 a.m., deputies from the Riverside Sheriff’s Cabazon Station responded to the 14000 block of Elm Street, Cabazon, regarding subjects stealing copper from the location. Deputies immediately responded to the area and located the suspects leaving the scene in a vehicle.

Deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a dirt service road south of Railroad Avenue, where five suspects were taken into custody without incident. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located a large quantity of cut copper wire along with additional items linking the suspects to the theft. Fentanyl and methamphetamine were also located during the search.

The following is a list of people arrested during this investigation:

• Richard Clyde Stone, a 59-year-old resident of Yucca Valley, was arrested for grand theft, conspiracy, drug charges, and drug possession with priors.
• Chad Russell Kingren, a 40-year-old resident of Yucca Valley, was arrested on charges of grand theft and conspiracy.
• Gavin Wesley Nuce, a 44-year-old resident of Yucca Valley, was arrested for grand theft, conspiracy, and drug charges.
• Kelly Jaymes Smith, a 40-year-old resident of Cathedral City, was arrested for grand theft, conspiracy, and drug charges.
• Mitchell Phillip Brethen, a 42-year-old resident of Yucca Valley, was arrested for grand theft, conspiracy, and drug charges.

Copper theft is a serious threat to public safety and critical infrastructure in our community. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to holding criminal offenders accountable and will aggressively investigate these crimes and pursue all leads.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available at this time. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Asendorf at the Cabazon Sheriff’s Station at (951) 922-7100 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Roman Lugo

File # B260940008

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office