Two men from Tupman, Andrew Smith, 27, and Jimmie Beck, 54, were arrested in connection with a recent copper wire theft near Highway 166 and Old River Road in Kern County.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) reported that deputies from the Taft substation responded to a call about the theft. A witness stated that they saw the suspects leaving an orchard with copper wire hanging from their vehicle’s window. As they fled the scene, the suspects allegedly threw tools and other items at the witness.
The deputies identified the vehicle as a brown Chevrolet Blazer and stopped it near Highway 99 and Houghton Road. Smith and Beck were arrested on theft-related charges.
Further investigation by KCSO’s Rural Crime Investigations Unit revealed that Smith had been involved in multiple copper wire thefts over the past few months.
Both men remain in custody as the investigation continues.