April 1, 2026 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Saturday, March 28, 2026, deputies assigned to the Lamont
Substation contacted RODRIGO GARCIA (20 years old) of Lamont, and JUAN CACHU (43) of Lamont, in the 7700 block of Buena Vista Boulevard. GARCIA was riding a stolen motorcycle and pulling a suitcase containing approximately 100 pounds of copper wire. GARCIA attempted to flee on foot from deputies but was quickly arrested.
Detectives with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigation Unit arrived and assisted with the investigation. A search warrant was obtained for a nearby residence where one of the suspects was seen loading copper wire. During a search of that residence deputies and detectives located an additional 200 pounds of commercial grade copper wire.
Both GARCIA and CACHU were arrested for a violation of PC 496A(A) possession of stolen copper wire, PC 182(a)(1) conspiracy and other related charges. GARCIA was additionally charged with a violation of PC 496D(A) possession of a stolen vehicle, and PC 148(a)(1) resisting, delaying and obstructing a law enforcement officer. Both were later booked into the Kern County Jail…