Thieves Keep Cool With What's Inside Stolen Air Conditioners
WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Wheat Ridge are investigating a series of air conditioning unit thefts. The thieves aren't taking them to stay cool, but for what's inside.
"We came in and noticed our air conditioners weren't working. They were blowing just hot air," said All About Cabinets business owner Ted Speir.
The stolen units are valued at more than $15,000.
"We believe that it's a commodity metal theft which means they'll steal these units and part them down and sell the metal for scrap," said Wheat Ridge Police spokeswoman Lisa Spinder.
Seven businesses in the area have been hit with losses totaling more than $45,000.
"In order to sell the air conditioning parts, all you need is a valid ID, but because the units have been stripped, it's difficult for police to prove the parts are actually stolen," said Spinder.
"All we can do at this point is alert the scrap yards that these have occured, give them serial numbers if we have them and they will alert us if we come across any of the equipment."
