Cat Nap Criminals: TCSO Ag Detectives Bust Copper Wire Thief Asleep in a Car 

July 31, 2024 – Tulare County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on July 29, 2024, TCSO Deputies were called to a grape vineyard in the 15200 Block of Avenue 48 for a report of a suspicious vehicle blocking access to the farm.

When Deputies arrived, they found two people asleep in the car, as well as a large amount of large gauge copper wire in the back seat.

Detectives determined 46-year-old Israel Barraza of Earlimart and Delano, was the suspect who had stolen the copper wire. Detectives believe the wire was stolen from one of several recently victimized irrigation pumps in the area.

Barraza was arrested for possession of stolen property and drugs charges and booked at the South County Detention Facility.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Ryan Pugh or Sergeant Joe Armstrong with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Unit at (559) 733-6218. Or, they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559) 725-4194, or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.

Source & photos: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office