By Brad Palmer
Murphysboro, IL – MURPHYSBORO POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A RASH OF AIR CONDITIONER THEFTS.
POLICE SAY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, SIX A-C UNITS HAVE BEEN STOLEN FROM HOMES. THEY SAY DUE TO THE RISING COST OF SCRAP METAL, THIEVES ARE STEALING THE UNITS AND DISMANTLING THEM TO SELL THE ALUMINUM AND COPPER.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS DISCOVERED THIS MORNING ON NORTH EIGHTH STREET. A NEIGHBOR SPOTTED A LAWN CHAIR PLACED UNDER WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN OPEN WINDOW ON THE HOME. OFFICERS FOUND TWO A-C UNITS HAD BEEN REMOVED. THEY SAY MANY OF THE HOMES - LIKE THIS ONE - WERE VACANT AT THE TIME OF THE THEFT.
POLICE SUGGEST OWNERS OF VACANT HOMES REMOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS AND STORE THEM IN A SECURE LOCATION.