KINGS COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities arrested Salvadore Silva Valdovinos in connection with stolen copper wire from multiple agricultural wells and a half-pound of methamphetamine, officials reported Thursday.
Valdovinos, a Huron resident, was taken into custody on Oct. 30 while unloading copper wire stolen the previous evening from the Fresno County area, according to the Kings County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began on Oct. 21 after the Kings County Rural Crimes Unit was alerted about a person recycling a large quantity of copper wire. Detectives traced the vehicle and the suspect to Valdovinos.
A search of Valdovinos’ vehicle and a storage unit in Lemoore uncovered over 2,000 pounds of stolen wire and additional items, along with more than a half-pound of methamphetamine.
Valdovinos was booked into Fresno County Jail on multiple property theft and narcotics charges and is set to be prosecuted in Fresno County.
The investigation was a coordinated effort between the Kings County Rural Crimes Unit, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Agriculture Unit, and CHP Central Office. The Kings County Rural Crimes Unit, which includes two sheriff’s deputies and an investigator from the District Attorney’s Office, works to protect local growers from theft and other crimes.
