Man arrested trying to recycle stolen brass
A man was arrested Wednesday after attempting to recycle stolen brass irrigation valves, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Over the past three weeks, agriculture growers in the southern portion of Tulare County have been victimized by the theft of thousands of brass irrigation valves.
Multiple victims reported to TCSO that someone entered vineyards and orchards where they then removed brass T-shaped valves from standpipe irrigation systems.
Detectives began conducting compliance checks of recycling centers in both Tulare and Kern counties. Detectives located and recovered approximately 700 valves and the cast iron lids they were once attached to.
Detectives obtained information that identified Patricio Esparo Reyes as the person who was recycling the valves and cast iron lids. Detectives again met with several of the victims, who were able to positively identify the valves as belonging to them at which time the valves were returned to their rightful owners.
On Wednesday, detectives conducted a coordinated surveillance detail where specific locations were actively being observed. Detectives observed Reyes arrive at a Kern County recycle center at which time he was arrested based on evidence obtained during the course of this investigation.
At the time of his arrest, Reyes was actively wanted for an unrelated case and was subsequently placed under arrest for the active warrant. An additional arrest warrant was served as a passenger with Reyes was also wanted. This person was issued a citation to appear in court and was released from the scene.
Ultimately, Reyes was booked at the Adult Pretrail Facility on suspicion of felony grand theft charges related to seven separate theft investigations.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Investigations Unit at 802-9563. They can also call 24 hours a day at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously through our Tipnow Program at 725-4194 or tcso@tipnow. com.