Tulare County sheriff’s detectives arrested a man Tuesday in connection with a series of copper wire thefts that caused more than $200,000 in damage to local farms.

Since early July, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office agricultural detectives have investigated multiple reports of copper wire stolen from electrical panels in the Visalia, Tulare, and Exeter areas.

In many cases, the suspect used a vehicle to pull wiring from the panels, causing extensive damage and disrupting irrigation systems.

Investigators determined that at least 10 of the thefts were linked to the same suspect, resulting in approximately $250,000 in combined losses.

Detectives tracked down Jeremy Michael Koelewyn, 43, in Tulare.

A search warrant served at his Visalia home yielded evidence tying him to the thefts, including burnt copper wire and tools used for stripping wire. Koelewyn is on probation for similar offenses.

Got a Tip?

Authorities ask anyone with additional information to contact Sgt. Joe Armstrong or detective Steve Boertjew at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218. Anonymous tips can be submitted via call or text at (559) 725-4194 or email at tcso@tipnow.com.

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