You Take My Air Away

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Lock up your central air units! This story is out of Rockford but I have to think this could be a problem here too. If not, I bet it will be soon.

Lynn Schultz, the vice president of Rockford Heating and Air Conditioning, said the thefts at her business and other locations started occurring this summer, when the price of copper skyrocketed. These days, copper sells at scrapyards for about $2 a pound, and air conditioners contain about 40 pounds of the metal, Schultz said.

“It’s starting to be really big problem,” Schultz said. “A year ago, you might have heard about this a little bit. But now, you even have people going on roofs and stripping the copper wiring. It’s kind of lucrative, sadly.”

[snip]

Rockford police have received numerous calls about stolen air conditioners, and officers are investigating the crimes, said Sgt. Paul Triolo. He agrees with Schultz that the crimes are occurring a lot more lately.

Although police are investigating the thefts, some business owners and homeowners are taking extra precaution with new units, such as putting up lighting or installing them on a roof.

Maybe we should be glad the robber who has been hitting stores all over town the last few days is only interested in cash. Otherwise, as quickly as that guy works, we might be facing a hot time next summer with no air conditioning units left in the city.