Home News 

Story

Thieves Targeting Air Conditioning Units In Central Florida

Posted: 7:35 am EDT August 21, 2007Updated: 7:38 am EDT August 21, 2007

Some Orlando thieves are making it hard for businesses to cool off.

Company owners are taking extreme measures after burglars stole their air conditioning units. Businesses along New Hampshire Street have made a few additions.

Chains to hold down their air conditioning units and alarm systems to ensure they stay put. Orlando police said there has been a rash of air conditioning burglaries as nearly a dozen units have been stolen in the past week.

Until employers bought replacement units, employees had to tough it out.

"They had a couple of fans, but they weren't doing the trick so I bought my own fan and brought it into the office to cool off," said Joseph Matos.

Investigators said the units were typically sold at pawn shops or were stripped for parts. Local pawn shops were selling the once $5,000 units for $60 to $170.

In Marion County, thieves were also targeting air conditioners making the summer heat just a little hotter and more expensive.

The thieves have been hitting houses under construction. They stole one from the new Rolling Hills subdivision in Dunnellon. They also stole two units from the Florida Highlands area.

More Headlines

Make WFTV Your Power On

Did you ever turn your television off at night and notice the next morning that your set comes on to a different channel? You can set your cable box so that your TV comes on to the station you want. It's easy! Full Story ››
Step-By-Step Text Instructions


Click Picks
Video Clips
AP Photo/Peter Kramer
Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road. View Images ››


Strange News Photos

From brilliant to bizarre, our 99-photo slideshow captures a variety of strange news. Photos are added often. Take A Look!

County-By-County News

Get Hyper-Local On WFTV.com

Visit our County-By-County section for the latest news headlines out of your county. » County-By-County

When you take videos or photos of Central Florida news or weather events, iWitness is your place to upload them. » iWitness

Visit your headquarters for county-by-county news and resources, and a place to share community videos and photos. » 9Central