Burglary Arrests During Foothill Fire Evacuation: 2 Suspects Facing Allegations of Copper Wire Theft
– By F. Scott Faulkner
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, CA — May 23, 2026
Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies arrested two western Kern County residents early the morning of May 21 after a 911 call alerted authorities to a burglary in progress within the Foothill Fire evacuation zone.
Responding SBSD deputies and California Highway Patrol officers responded promptly
to the scene where evidence indicated damage to the interior of a garage structure
located within an evacuation order area tied to the Foothill Fire, which had been
burning for the prior 48 hours.
Deputies determined that Bridget Jessica Martinez, 42, of Taft, and Juan Carlos Rodriguez, 56, “had entered an detached garage on the property and removed copper wiring that had been used to power the property owner’s well.”
Deputies also discovered “assorted burglary tools and narcotics paraphernalia” in the
possession of Martinez and Rodriguez.
Martinez and Rodriguez were taken into custody at the scene and were transported to
the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail, where they were booked on multiple
burglary charges.
