Fresno Man Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Farmworkers’ Cooling Trailer

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 4 months ago on

October 16, 2024

Vernon Wells, 58, of Fresno, was arrested after deputies tracked a stolen farmworkers' cooling trailer using its GPS device. (Fresno County SO)

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Deputies have arrested Vernon Wells, 58, of Fresno, after a stolen agricultural shade trailer was tracked to a commercial property in the city, the Fresno County Sheriff’s office said in a news release.

He faces charges of auto theft, possession of stolen property, and vandalism, and is being held at the Fresno County Jail, authorities said.

The arrest followed a report on Tuesday about a missing shade trailer from a location near W. Mount Whitney and S. Hayes avenues in Riverdale.

These trailers are crucial for providing cooling stations where farmworkers can rest during hot days in the fields.

Deputies utilized a GPS device installed on the trailer to trace its location to a site near W. Ashlan and N. Valentine avenues.

A cooling trailer that the Fresno County Sheriff’s officer located on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Fresno County SO)

They found Wells at the scene and determined he was responsible for the theft. The trailer was later returned to its owner.

Got a Tip?

Authorities are seeking more information related to Wells.

Anyone with details is urged to contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or reach out to Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org.

Tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case No. 24-11819.

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Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and has an MBA at Fresno State, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.