August 16, 2024 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that over the course of several months, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office has seen a continued increase of copper wire thefts in the farmlands around northern Kern County. These types of thefts have caused several thousand dollars’ worth of damage and repairs.

On August 14, 2024, at approximately 6:00 a.m., 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 area of Main Drain Road and Carmel Road. Rural Crime Detectives responded to the area to begin the investigation. While in the area, detectives learned of another copper wire theft close by.

During the investigation, detectives obtained evidence which led them to the 500 block of D Street, in Wasco. When detectives arrived, they located Leonel Acevedo (30), of Wasco, and Jesus Mesa (42), of Wasco, actively stripping the insulation from copper wire.

Based on the evidence detectives obtained and the amount of copper wire Acevedo and Mesa had in their possession, led detectives to believe Acevedo and Mesa were involved in the theft and vandalism. Acevedo and Mesa were both arrested and booked at the Lerdo Jail for violation of PC 496A(A)- Illegal possession of copper wire, PC 182(A)(1)- Conspiracy, PC 594(B)(1)- Vandalism, PC 487J- Grand theft copper wire, and PC 496(A)- Possession of stolen property.

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: Kern County Sheriff’s Office