A Sonoma man was arrested Monday on suspicion of stealing sprinklers from vineyards, Sonoma County sheriff's officials said.

Thomas Barnick, 48, allegedly sneaked into the vineyards in the middle of the night after gambling at River Rock Casino and took sprinklers with valuable brass parts, Sgt. Michael Raasch said.

At least 18 vineyards in the county since October reported missing Rain Bird sprinklers, used primarily for frost protection, including one that was hit four times, Raasch said. The value of the missing devices, at about $8 each, was more than $50,000.

Barnick was under surveillance at about 2 a.m. Monday when, after gambling for about an hour at the casino, he drove south on Highway 128, pulled into Fanucchi Ranch in Geyserville and parked in the back of the property, Raasch said.

He headed into the vines and for about three hours removed sprinklers, Raasch said.

Detectives arrested Barnick after he drove away and found him with 407 Rain Bird sprinklers, he said.

Barnick came under suspicion after witnesses in May gave deputies the license number of a white GMC pickup seen at two properties where sprinklers were stolen, Raasch said. The pickup's registered owner told detectives he sold the truck to Barnick in January.

Another witness identified Barnick from a photo lineup as having been at a vineyard where sprinklers were stolen, Raasch said.

He said detectives have evidence Barnick was involved in three of the thefts and are looking into all of the cases.


Barnick was being held Monday in the Sonoma County Jail on $100,000 bail on suspicion of grand theft, possession of stolen property and driving with a suspended driver's license, Raasch said.

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_20998065/sonoma-mans-alleged-routine-gamble-at-casino-then