BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A man was arrested after KCSO says he tried to recycle stolen copper wire. The arrest comes as detectives were investigating copper wire theft from a farming company in the Lamont area.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said on July 22, 2026, detectives from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crimes Investigations Unit were investigating a theft of copper wire from a farming company in the Lamont area.
KCSO said during the investigation, detectives identified 29-year-old Rodrigo Garcia, who is on felony probation, as the suspect of theft.
Detectives found Garcia at Lopez Recycling & Wrecking Yard, in the Lamont area. Detectives learned that Garcia tried to recycle the stolen copper wire at the business.
Garcia was arrested for grand theft of copper wire, possession of stolen copper wire, vandalism, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving without a license.
“There are numerous copper wire thefts reported throughout Kern County to the Sheriff’s Office that cost companies millions of dollars in repairs each year,” said in a release. Residents in these areas are encouraged to notify law enforcement if they learn of such thefts.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigations Unit at (661)392-6071 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661)322-4040.