UTAH COUNTY – Three people have been arrested and now face more than 70 charges between them in connection with copper wire thefts dating back to 2012.
Police arrested 40-year-old Faith Fernandes, 50-year-old Richard Fernandes and 47-year-old Robert Valdez in connection with the theft of copper wiring from a mine in the southwest corner of Utah County, near Eureka.
According to information from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, investigators tracked the three to a home, where authorities found meth, marijuana and drug paraphernalia along with items allegedly stolen from the mine. There was a young boy and young girl in the home.
Officials said more than 5,000 feet of copper wire was stolen from the Trixie Mine during the past year, and the estimate of the damages to power systems within the mine totals more than $1,500,000. Additional financial losses were caused by delays at the mine due to the damage.
The three adults are being held in the Utah County Jail. Police said they expect to make more arrests in connection with the thefts.
