Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested two western Kern County residents on Thursday on suspicion of burglarizing a residence in the Foothill Fire evacuation order zone. 

Bridget Jessica Martinez, 34, and Juan Carlos Rodriguez, 39, were arrested on theft-related charges, according to Raquel Zick, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.  

On Thursday morning, Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol responded to a home in the 2100 block of Schaeffer Road in Cuyama after reports of a burglary in progress. 

Deputies found that the two individuals had entered an unattached garage on the property and removed copper wiring that was used to power the property owner’s well, according to Zick. 

They were also reportedly in possession of burglary tools and narcotics paraphernalia, she added.

That residence is in the evacuation order zone due to the Foothill Fire that ignited Tuesday afternoon and spread to 904 acres by Wednesday night, as Noozhawk reported.

“The Sheriff’s Office maintains enhanced law enforcement presence in evacuation areas during emergencies to safeguard evacuated neighborhoods and deter criminal activity,” Zick said. 

“The Sheriff’s Office recognizes that residents displaced by wildfires are already facing significant stress and uncertainty, and criminal acts targeting evacuated properties will not be tolerated.”

Martinez and Rodriguez were taken to the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail and booked on various theft-related charges.

Charges and bail were pending as of Thursday, according to Zick.