Two Arrested Amid Undercover Copper Wire Theft Investigation in Kern County
KERN COUNTY, CA — “Over the last several months, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigations Unit has been investigating numerous copper wire thefts across the county, which lead to several subjects being arrested. These thefts caused thousands of dollars in replacement material and repairs due to extensive damage to the victim’s property. Most subjects involved in copper wire thefts will strip the wire of its insulation so that it is bare copper wire and recycle it for more money. Per California State Law, recycling centers must document the individuals name, identification number, vehicle license plate number, and use due diligence when obtaining where the material came from. These laws are documented in the California Business and Professions Code, starting at 21600. The recycling centers are also required to send all daily transactions to the local sheriff’s office in their jurisdiction.
While Rural Crime Detectives continued their investigation, they obtained evidence that revealed Santiago Lopez (39), from Palmdale, CA, would travel to Kern County and purchase stolen copper wire. Through the investigation, detectives learned Lopez would then take the copper wire to Los Angeles to recycle.
Due to the ongoing thefts of copper wire in Kern County, Rural Crime Detectives conducted an undercover operation on March 3, 2026. Undercover detectives set up a meeting with Lopez in the southern Kern County area. Detectives sold Lopez approximately 400 pounds of copper wire. When Lopez purchased the copper wire, he did not ask where the copper wire came from, in violation of Penal Code 496A(A), did not provide the Undercover detectives with a receipt, did not document any identification, or vehicle information, and did not have a license as a recycler, all violations of Business and Professions Codes.
Lopez and Teresa Ruiz (35), from Palmdale, CA, were both arrested a short time later and booked at the Kern County Inmate Reception Center.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661)861-3110, or the Secret Witness Hotline at (661)322-4040.”
