Copper Thief Busted After Stealing Thousands in RV Power Cords

ET Quality RV in Yuba City, California, has spent months dealing with an unusual and costly problem: someone has been cutting power cords off their RVs and walking away with thousands of dollars’ worth of copper.

For a family-run business, that kind of loss hits hard.

“From 150 to 300 dollars these cost, and that is a big hit for a business,” said general manager Melina Rochin. “It affects not only us but also the families that we serve.”

How the Thefts Played Out

Surveillance cameras captured the suspect sneaking onto the lot, disconnecting heavy shore power cables, and hauling them off. For RV owners, wrestling one of those 50-amp cords is tough enough when you’re just setting up at a campground. Watching them get ripped out and stolen by the dozens left employees frustrated and customers inconvenienced.

Over time, more than 40 cords disappeared. Rochin explained that the thief stripped the cables for the copper inside, leaving nothing usable behind. By the time authorities tracked the case, the inventory was already sold for scrap.

The Arrest

Detective Vishaal Virk of the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation combined surveillance video with “old school detective work.” It led them to 45-year-old Peter Pato, who deputies found at a riverside encampment.

“He was surprised when we showed up to his tent and he was actively burning copper wire,” Virk said. Alongside the stripped RV cords, deputies also uncovered cables linked to another case involving Glad Tidings Church in the area. The church got its property back, but ET Quality RV wasn’t as fortunate.

Pato, who officials said is unhoused, was arrested and booked on charges that include burglary, theft with priors, and narcotics-related offenses.

Impact on the Community

While the financial loss still stings, Rochin said the bigger picture matters too. Knowing the suspect is in custody brought some relief. “The more that these concerns are raised and actually followed through with, the stronger we can become as a community,” she said.