Is nothing sacred

Copper thieves steal church's air conditioning units


LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Innocent people and businesses are out thousands of dollars because of copper thieves destroying air conditioning units.

Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ on West Chestnut Street is usually warm with praise, but last Sunday it was downright steamy.

"It was in the 80's and that was with 3 large fans going," said Carl Hines, who is the church's treasurer.

It was so hot, a woman fainted. It wasn't because of something spiritual, but because the church was vandalized.

"It makes you angry that someone would do this not only to a church, but to anybody," said Hines.

Thieves hoping to make a quick buck off the copper, ripped off four of the church's air conditioning units for probably less than $200, but will cost the church an estimated $5,000 to fix it.

"There's very little conscience of people who would do it to a church," said Hines.

The owner of A.N. Roth Company, a heating and cooling business across town, said he sees this far too often.

"Within the last year it's gotten kind of ridiculous," said Phil Roth of these crimes.

He said cages can protect your property from these thieves, but they cost several hundred dollars and are only as good as the padlock on them. He also suggested putting up alarms and sensors.

"They now make a motion sensing light that takes a video at the same time," Roth said.

But it only takes about five minutes for a thief to get in and get those precious metals out.

"If someone wants it bad enough, you aren't going to stop them," said Roth. "The only thing that you can do is deter them, whether they leave you alone or go to your neighbor next door."
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