BREAKING: A Porterville man faces serious felony charges after allegedly stealing copper wire from a public utility substation, according to authorities. Ralph Holloway, 36, was charged on December 12, 2025, with felony grand theft and receiving stolen property valued over $950 following a theft that resulted in a staggering loss exceeding $20,000.
Prosecutors revealed that Holloway accessed the Southern California Edison substation between October and December 2025, extracting significant amounts of copper wire, which is critical for various community services. District Attorney Tim Ward stressed that wire theft poses a dangerous threat, disrupting not only businesses but also vital agricultural and community resources.
Holloway was arrested on December 10 and transported to Riverside County on separate domestic violence warrants. He returned to Tulare County on December 11 and was arraigned in Superior Court the following day, where he pleaded not guilty. Currently, he is being held without bail, facing potential prison time of up to three years if convicted on all counts.
A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for January 2, 2026, in Superior Court, where prosecutors will present their case against Holloway. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to pursuing full prosecution, emphasizing the serious implications of theft crimes on the community.
Anyone with information relating to this case is urged to contact the Tulare County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations at (559) 636-5410. This ongoing investigation highlights the urgent need for community vigilance against theft crimes that threaten public safety and infrastructure.
Stay tuned for updates as this case develops.
