Kern County authorities arrested a Wasco man Thursday after he was found in possession of 175 pounds of stolen copper wire, part of a months-long scheme targeting agricultural equipment across the county.

Detectives with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crimes Investigation Unit identified Agustin Ramirez Ayala, 50, as a suspect following a surge in copper wire thefts.

Investigators located Ramirez Ayala in the 3800 block of Rosedale Highway, Bakersfield, where he was carrying the stolen wire.

Further investigation revealed Ramirez Ayala had been operating as an unlicensed recycler, having processed more than 3,200 pounds of copper wire over the past two months.

He was arrested for operating as a recycler without a license, along with other related offenses, and was booked into the Kern County Jail.

Got a Tip?

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the investigation to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.

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