Home / Crime and Justice / Farmers Face Devastation from Copper Wire Thefts
Farmers Face Devastation from Copper Wire Thefts
12 Jun
Summary
- Copper wire thefts cause over $20,000 in damage to one farm.
- Stolen copper wire, worth about $150, cripples vital farm irrigation.
- Farm security expert developed a system to combat routine copper theft.
A farm in South Tulare County experienced severe disruption due to copper wire thefts, with thieves targeting a water pump on two separate occasions within a 48-hour period. These incidents prevented the essential irrigation of crops at a critical time, causing significant distress to the farm manager, TJ Singh.
The resulting damage exceeded $20,000, a stark contrast to the approximately $150 believed to be the resale value of the stolen copper wire. This disparity underscores the substantial financial and operational burden placed on agricultural businesses.
Authorities highlight that such copper wire thefts are becoming increasingly common in agricultural areas. Bobby Rader, a police chief and founder of a farm security system, noted that these thefts are so routine they are often considered normal, prompting his development of the Cop-R-Lock system.
The impact of these thefts extends beyond individual farms, affecting service providers like Wills Pump in Exeter. Ben Guier, a supervisor at Wills Pump, reported that their company frequently handles theft-related repairs for their over 3,500 customers, many of whom are farmers, estimating 6-7 such incidents weekly.
In response to the repeated incidents, the farm plans to enhance its overnight security measures to deter future criminal activity and prevent further losses.
