By Susan Meeker
The Woodland man accused of stealing more than 500 gallons of fuel from an agriculture operation near Arbuckle is facing more than two years in prison if he accepts a plea deal from the District Attorney Office.
Joseph Michale Cain, 53, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on March 13, while his public defender tries to work out a stipulated sentence.
Colusa County Sheriff’s investigators arrested Cain around 10:30 am on Dec. 13, after serving a search warrant at his Community Lane home. Sheriff’s officials said they identified him from surveillance footage in connection to the thefts that occurred on Oct. 26 and Nov. 30, costing the victim more than $2,000.
In addition to the grand theft charge, Cain is charged with committing a felony while released from jail. He was arrested June 29 in Yolo County on similar charges related to large scale fuel theft, possession of a controlled substance, and providing false evidence of vehicle registration, according to Yolo County court records.
Cain, who has prior convictions for vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, and drug possession.
Cain is facing two years for the theft with an additional eight months for committing the offense while he was out on bail on similar charges.
He is scheduled to enter a plea in Colusa County Superior Court on May 8.
Colusa County Sheriff’s officials said theft of fuel and copper wire, along with associated property damage, have cost local agriculture operations hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In 2023, the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office reported an uptick in damages caused by thieves who break into irrigation pumps and electrical junction boxes to pull, cut, and strip wires, stopping the flow of electricity and water.
“This particular problem is costing farmers, taxpayers, and insurance companies on a scale unseen before,” said Lt. Jose Ruiz. “Thieves oftentimes will look to sell the scrap copper to recycling facilities in and out of the state, including recycling facilities in surrounding counties.”
Although copper wire theft occurs on mostly private property, thieves have also targeted railroad power systems, and new home construction sites, Ruiz said.
The public is asked to remain diligent and report suspicious vehicles and activities to the Colusa County Sheriff’s Department, (530) 458-0200.