January 10, 2024 - Kern County Sheriff's Office officials report that over the course of several months, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase of copper wire thefts in the oilfields and farmlands around Kern County. These types of thefts have caused several thousand dollars worth of damage and repairs.

On January 8, 2024, at approximately 7:30 P.M. (1930 hours), Detectives from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigation Unit were alerted of a possible copper wire theft in an orchard near the 10000 block of Taft Highway (Hwy 119). Rural Crime Detectives responded to the area and conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, which had left the area of the orchard a short distance away.

During the investigation, TRAVIS SWANSON (51) of Bakersfield, CARL STARK (56) of Tupman, and NICOLE MORRIS BERTRAND (46) of Tupman, were detained during the traffic stop. Further investigation revealed that copper wire was cut from an irrigation pump and vandalized; however, was not taken. The estimated cost to repair and replace the copper wire is $5,000.00.

Detectives located evidence at the scene showing SWANSON, STARK, and BERTRAND were involved in the attempted theft and vandalism of the copper wire and irrigation pump. All three were arrested and booked into Lerdo Jail for violation of PC 664/487(j)- Attempted grand theft of copper wire, PC 594 (B)(1)- Vandalism over $400, and PC 182(A)(1)- Conspiracy. STARK and BERTRAND also had active warrants for their arrest.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigations Unit at (661) 392-6093 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661) 322-4040.

Source & photo: Kern County Sheriff's Office