The theft of copper wire spools from a Foster Farms facility in Delhi has led to the arrest of a Modesto man by the Merced County Sheriff’s Department.

Troy Lance Boutelle, a 43-year-old parolee, was taken into custody on July 19 after turning himself in to his parole agent. He was booked into the Merced County Jail on a charge of grand theft and violation of parole, said sheriff spokesman Deputy Ed Katen.

The sheriff’s department was first contacted by Foster Farms security on June 25 about the theft of copper wire from the company’s Collier Road site.

The company’s security cameras captured images of the suspect driving onto the property in a sports utility vehicle and heisting three spools of copper wire. The spools were estimated at a value of $1,500 each, according to Tony Aragon, the head of security at Foster Farms.

Detective Aaron McKnight was able to track the suspect through a series of leads. When he contacted the suspect, Boutello allegedly admitted to the theft and agreed to help in recovering the stolen wire, Katen said.

Katen said Boutelle cut the wire into pieces and sold it to a Turlock recycling plant.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.