DeKalb County police have broken up a theft ring allegedly responsible for stealing dozens of air conditioners worth $200,000, Channel 2 Action News reports.
The thieves would hit homes and shopping centers at night, grabbing the cooling units and using a stolen U-Haul truck to take them to a vacant house on North Indian Creek Drive, where the units would be disassembled for their parts, police said.
The ring is believed responsible for stealing five or six air conditioning units a day, Monday through Friday, for the last six weeks.
There have been at least 30 victims, but Detective Ryan Robinson told the TV station there could be more because even the thieves could not recall all of the places they hit.
One alleged member of the ring is in custody. Police identified him as Tariq Zachery, Channel 2 Action News reported. Police are not releasing the other men’s name because the investigation is continuing.
The metro Atlanta area has been plagued by air conditioner heists in recent weeks. Thieves steal the cooling units and scavenge them for copper and other valuable components, which are re-sold on the scrap market.
Business owner Mohummand Allen showed Channel 2 Action News the razor wire and steel cages he’s installed to safeguard his air conditioners.
“The really sad thing is they are worth $50 to $60 when you sell them (for scrap) … where for us, it’s $1,200,” Allen said. “I’d rather they knock on the door and just ask for the money than rip us off.”
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