Copper stolen from Head Start air conditioners

Someone cut piping from five air conditioning units at a Head Start school in Avondale Estates over the weekend, disabling them and spewing refrigerant into the air.

The theft and damage occurred over the weekend, and was discovered when staff turned on the units Monday. "The kids were in there, and when they turned the units on that stuff started coming out," said Tom Gillis, an investigator with the Avondale Police Department.

It's unclear how much the copper was worth, but it was likely far less than the damaged units, Gillis said. Anyone with information can contact him at 404-391-4526.