Copper theft at Ormat facility leads to pursuit and arrest of two suspects

HOLTVILLE — A theft of copper wire from an Ormat Facility on Monday led the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office on a multi-hour search, culminating in the arrest of two suspects in Holtville. The stolen property and damages from the incident are estimated to be around $50,000.

The sheriff’s office said in a statement that the incident began around 10:39 a.m. when deputies responded to a report of a theft at the Ormat Facility, located on East Evan Hewes Highway. The victim stated that two men had unlawfully entered the property in a Mule UTV and stolen several pieces of copper wire from inside a transformer. The theft was reported to have occurred shortly before the call to law enforcement.

Patrol deputies quickly broadcasted a description of the suspects and their vehicle. At approximately