WASCO MAN ARRESTED WITH 175 POUNDS OF STOLEN COPPER WIRE. Due to...

WASCO MAN ARRESTED WITH 175 POUNDS OF STOLEN COPPER WIRE.

Due to a significant increase in copper wire thefts from agricultural equipment around Kern County, detectives with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crimes Investigation Unit (RCIU) initiated an investigation and identified 50-year-old AGUSTIN RAMIREZ AYALA of Wasco as a suspect.

On March 26, 2026, detectives located RAMIREZ AYALA in the 3800 block of Rosedale Highway, Bakersfield. RAMIREZ AYALA was in possession of approximately 175 pounds of stolen copper wire. Further investigation revealed RAMIREZ AYALA had been operating as an unlicensed recycler and had recycled over 3,200 pounds of copper wire within the past two months.

RAMIREZ AYALA was arrested for PC 496A(A) – Operating as a recycler without a license, and other related offenses.

RAMIREZ AYALA was subsequently booked into the Kern County Jail. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.