LAMONT, Calif. -  

Deputies from the Lamont Substation have arrested two men in connection to recent copper wire theft.

During recent weeks, deputies said they have been investigating numerous copper wire thefts. 

Recent investigation revealed evidence of copper wire theft in a sump on East Brundage Lane, according to officials.

On Feb. 19, deputies went to the sump and found 51-year-old Billy Jones and 31-year-old Christopher O'Brien living in tents in the sump. 

Officials said Jones and O'Brien were in the process of stripping plastic casing from stolen copper wire. 

Both men were arrested for possessing stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and under the influence of a controlled substance, according to deputies. 

The two men were booked at the Central Receiving Facility.