Sheriff’s Dept. investigating string of A/C unit thefts from community churches

Police are investigating a series of air conditioning unit thefts from area churches in the last week, and are looking for community help in solving the crimes.

Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Scotty Prewitt is currently investigating three cases of air conditioner unit thefts from churches that have taken place since last Monday. Police say a three-ton unit was stolen from Mulberry Community Church last week.

According to Deputy Sheriff Ron Bowling, the unit was enclosed by four-foot security posts, indicating there were at least several people involved in the theft.

"The posts were left undisturbed but the unit was missing which means it took several people to lift it up over the poles," Bowling said. "I think we have numerous people involved."

Another three-ton unit was reported stolen from Maple Creek United Baptist Church and then a five-ton commercial heating and air combination unit was taken from Jellico Creek Baptist Church recently.

At Jellico Creek, Bowling said the thieves unhooked a natural gas line from the unit when they stole it, leaving the gas to spew out underneath the crawlspace in the church.

"When a member of the church noticed the unit missing, he went inside the church. He was hesitant about turning on the light because of the gas," Bowling said. "Had he turned that light on, there was a possibility of an explosion. It was a very lucky break that no one was hurt there."

Deputies have picked up patrols at local churches to try to counteract the thefts.

Some local churches, Bowling said, have taken measures of their own – fencing in units or trying to secure them with lighting or cameras.

Churches are being targeted, police say, because thieves know they are often unoccupied, but also because the units are typically placed in out-of-the-way places for aesthetic reasons.

"Most of these units have been cosmetically installed so they don’t detract from the facility. They are stuck in cubbyholes or not in the most visible areas of the church. That’s an opportunity for these guys to go in and unhook these units and taking them without being noticed."

Only one of the three units taken recently can be traced by police. Owners did not have serial numbers for the others.

Police estimate the value of the three-ton units at around $4,000 and at least $5,000 for the five-ton unit.

Bowling said he believes the units are being taken for scrap metal, valued at around $100 per unit, but said they could also be sold intact to unknowing or unscrupulous buyers.

Anyone with information regarding the thefts is encouraged to contact the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department at 549-6006.