Three Placer County men were arrested Thursday after they were found stripping copper wiring in a field west of Roseville.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. workers called the Placer County Sheriff's dispatch center at 9:43 a.m. to report that three men were loading copper wire into the trunk of a car in a field off Dyer Lane. The men did not see the first deputy drive into the field until the deputy was about 200 yards away, according to a Sheriff's Department news release.
The suspects were identified as Shane Michael Quinlan (left photo), 20, of Auburn, and Denis Michael O'Brien (center photo), 48, and Joseph Michael Taylor (right photo), 27, both of Colfax. They initially told deputies that they were just looking for a place hang out. But items around the car included knives, numerous bundles and rolls of stripped copper wire, and gloves, according to the news release. 
Inside the vehicle, deputies found pliers with wire-cutting blades and a small amount of marijuana.
The total weight of the stripped copper wire was 72 pounds. Deputies also found 48 pounds of wire that had not been stripped. Sheriff's officials said they do not know where the wire was obtained.
Wire theft has become a major problem, with thieves selling stripped copper wire to recyclers for cash.
The three men were booked into Placer County Jail on suspicion of conspiracy and possessing stolen property. Quinlan also is accused of committing a felony while on bail.
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