UPDATE: Tulare County prosecutors have just announced felony charges against a Porterville man for stealing copper wire from a public utility substation, a crime that carries serious implications for local businesses and community resources.
Ralph Holloway, 36, is facing multiple charges including felony grand theft and receiving stolen property valued over $950. The District Attorney, Tim Ward, revealed that the theft, which occurred between October and December 2025, involved significant monetary loss, estimated at over $20,000. This urgent case highlights the dangers of wire theft, which disrupts essential services.
Authorities report that Holloway accessed the Southern California Edison substation in Porterville, where he allegedly removed large quantities of copper wire. Investigators from the Tulare County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation identified him during their probe into the theft.
Holloway was arrested on December 10, 2025, and initially taken to Riverside County due to outstanding domestic violence warrants. He was returned to Tulare County on December 11 and arraigned in Superior Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held without bail.
A preliminary hearing conference is set for January 2, 2026. If convicted of all charges, Holloway could face up to three years in prison, a consequence that underscores the severity of his actions.
The District Attorney’s Office has emphasized the critical impact of wire theft on the community, asserting that such crimes will be fully prosecuted to protect local businesses and agricultural operations.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the TCDA Bureau of Investigations at (559) 636-5410.
This developing story continues to resonate within the community, highlighting the urgent need for vigilance against such disruptive crimes.
