The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating numerous thefts of air conditioning units from businesses that have occurred over the past two weeks.

Theft of air conditioning units have become increasingly popular and are on the rise because of the copper and aluminum contained within. The units are being stolen entirely or the top is unscrewed and the copper is removed, leaving the guts and the metal casing behind. New construction areas and vacant houses are increasingly falling prey because of units sitting unwatched. Businesses are targets because the units are located at the rear of buildings where there is no activity. Roof top air conditionings units are also popular however it is a bit more difficult because of having to not only remove the unit or the metal within but the time it takes to get away. Residential air conditioning unit thefts are easy prey occurring during the day when no one is home and also at night when people are asleep. In most cases the thieves can get away in a matter of a few minutes. Police are encouraging individuals to call 911 immediately if they see or suspect someone is engaged in this type of activity.

If anyone has information about these or other metal related thefts, please call either the Chapel Hill Police Department at 968-2760 or Crime Stoppers at 942-7515. Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous, and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,200 for information that leads to arrest.