(PENSACOLA, Fla.) Sept. 30 - They've hit churches, schools, daycares and your home. Now, they are looking for new things for which copper thieves are looking.
Homes where cars are gone, and bushes surround the A/C units, are where police say thieves look to steal copper. "A lot of the time, the A/C units are just on the side of the house, there's not a fence, so theres easier access. Thieves right now, because of the economy, are looking for a cheap buck." It's leaving homeowners and builders looking for new A/C's. As Gary Mattes walked his dogs through his new neighborhood this afternoon-
the for sale signs weren't the only thing catching his eye. "Riff-raff comes through, and they check it out, know what's vacant and what's occupied."
At those where no one's home, somebody has been visiting. Police say Monday night, someone stole copper from these homes around Lost Creek. Most of them are still vacant-but one was just sold. That new homeowner- now has to shell out more than a grand for an A/C unit that's never been used. Police say 26 year old Carl Guin stole them, then tried to sell the copper. He's a construction worker and The Escambia County Sheriff's Office says this mangled mess is the product of his handy work. "All of that just falls under homeowners insurance, and unfortunately, homeowners insurance has a high deductible. The A/C unit is gone, and theres not a lot they can do about it."
This company's homes have been hit repeatedly, now they are hiring deputies to keep an eye on this new neighborhood. Still, Mattes says he's a little on edge. "The ease of copper, opposed to other precious materials, and the price of copper. They recycle it and get their quick money."
