Agricultural Detectives Recover 185 Pounds of Stolen Copper and Metal Infrastructure Following Traffic Stop
TULARE COUNTY, CA — July 7th 2026 — “Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Detectives recovered approximately 185 pounds of suspected stolen copper wire following a traffic stop on July 6.
During the investigation, deputies located 112 pounds of burned AT&T telecommunications cable, along with approximately 20 pounds of brass irrigation valves, radiators, and other scrap metal believed to have been stolen.
As a result of the investigation, Royer Gonzalez of Earlimart was arrested for Possession of Stolen Property (PC 496(a)). A second occupant, Benjamin Pulido, was also arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance (HS 11550).
The investigation is ongoing as detectives work to determine whether the recovered property is connected to additional copper thefts throughout Tulare County.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sergeant Bryan De Haan or Detective Richard Russell at (559) 733-6218. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling or texting (559) 725-4194 or emailing mailto:tcso@tipnow.com.”
