March 23, 2025 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on March 21, 2025, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies from the Buttonwillow Substation were dispatched to the area of South Enos Lane and Panama Lane for a report of a copper wire theft that had just occurred.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigations Unit began follow-up on the investigation. At approximately 8:00 a.m., Rural Crime Detectives learned the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office was currently investigating a burglary in the Cuyama area with a similar suspect vehicle that was last seen eastbound on Highway 166 toward Maricopa.
Rural Crime Detectives, along with deputies from the Taft Substation responded to Maricopa and located the vehicle near Highway 33 and Cadet Road. The driver, identified as TYLER TRAYLOR (age 30) of Taft, fled in the vehicle through an oilfield property, where he abandoned the vehicle and led deputies on a foot pursuit. TRAYLOR was apprehended a short distance away.
Detectives located the stolen property in the vehicle including stolen firearms in connection to the Santa Barbara investigation. TRAYLOR was on active felony probation. Deputies conducted a probation search at TRAYLOR’s residence and located a large quantity of copper wire.
TRAYLOR was arrested and booked at the Kern County Inmate Reception Center for:
Second-Degree burglary
Prohibited Person in possession of ammunition
Felon in possession of firearm
Reckless evading a Peace Officer
Possession of stolen property
Grand theft copper wire
Illegal possession of copper wire
Conspiracy
Resisting arrest
Detectives also located further evidence that showed an additional suspect in the copper wire theft investigation near South Enos Lane and Panama Lane. The suspect has not been identified.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Unit at (661) 861-3110 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661) 322-4040.
Source & photos: Kern County Sheriff’s Office
