TCSO Ag Detectives Bust Copper Wire Crook Who Caused More Than $200,000 in Damage 

September 11, 2025 – Tulare County Sheriff's Office officials report that since the beginning of July, TCSO Ag Detectives have taken numerous reports of copper wire theft in the Visalia, Tulare and Exeter areas.

In these cases, the suspect cut the wiring from electrical panels and used a vehicle to pull the wiring out, causing extensive damage to the panels.

Through the investigation, Detectives discovered at least ten of the thefts were related to the same suspect. These ten thefts resulted in about $250,000 in damage and loss and destroyed irrigation for many local farmers.

On September 9, 2025, Detectives tracked down and arrested the suspect, 43-year-old Jeremy Michael Koelewyn, in Tulare. Detectives served a warrant at his home in Visalia and found evidence tying Koelewyn to the thefts, including burnt copper wire and sheathing, as well as evidence of copper wire stripping. Koelewyn is currently on active probation for similar thefts.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Sergeant Joe Armstrong or Detective Steve Boertjewith the Tulare County Sheriff's Office 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