On Friday night in York County, Nebraska, a routine traffic stop led to more than an arrest for an outstanding warrant. Police also discovered stolen copper wire linked to recent thefts from rural irrigation systems in the area.

At around 9:40 p.m., a sheriff’s deputy noticed a vehicle near Road 8 and Road M. The car just seemed “unusual” for that zone. After following the vehicle for a short time, the deputy conducted a stop for a traffic violation, seemingly speeding. The driver, identified as 36-year-old Brian Schall of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was found to have a full extradition warrant out of Iowa.

During the stop, the deputy searched Schall’s vehicle and found several sections of partially burnt copper wire. Authorities later determined the wire had been stolen from center pivot irrigation systems. This is an issue that’s become increasingly common in York County in recent weeks.

Schall was arrested and booked at the York County Corrections Facility, KOLN-TV shared. In addition to the warrant, he faces charges including third-offense theft by receiving stolen property, no proof of insurance, no valid registration, and speeding.

Since the beginning of 2025, Nebraskan farmers can expect to pay about 30% more for copper than last year.

Local law enforcement agencies previously alerted agricultural communities about a recent uptick in copper wire thefts. The thefts can cause significant damage and operational delays for farmers. Several reports of irrigation system wire theft have come in from York County alone over the past few weeks.

A center pivot irrigation system is basically a giant sprinkler arm on a rotating mission. Picture a long pipe mounted on wheeled towers, pivoting around a central point like the hand of a clock. Water is pumped into the center and flows through the pipe, spraying crops evenly in a circular pattern as the whole thing slowly rotates.

Now, copper enters the scene here because it’s mainly used in the following aspects:

Electrical wiring: Copper wires power the pivot’s electric motors and control systems. It’s reliable, conductive, and won’t flake out on the job.

Grounding systems: Lightning loves tall metal structures in open fields. Copper grounding rods help safely direct those zaps into the earth instead of frying the system.

So copper’s not part of the watering itself, but it’s crucial for keeping the whole setup running smoothly and not, well, catching fire in a thunderstorm.

In a statement posted on social media, the York County Sheriff’s Department highlighted the arrest as an example of ongoing patrol efforts in areas affected by the thefts. The investigation into the broader string of incidents remains active.