'Crimes of opportunity' | Louisville police say thieves target AC units for copper, other metals | Crime Reports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- In the heat of summer, an ice cream shop on Dixie Highway had to temporarily close its doors due to someone stealing parts from its air conditioning unit. LMPD said these types of "crimes of opportunity" seem to be a trend nationwide.

According to police, theft of copper and the other metals within AC units make them an easy target.

WDRB drone captures image of what's left of the AC unit on the roof of Panchitos Ice Cream on Dixie Highway. (WDRB drone image from June 25, 2024)

Jose Fabian owns Panchitos Ice Cream. The shop on Preston Highway has been open about a decade and the Dixie Highway location in Pleasure Ridge Park just opened in Dec. 2023. Fabian said Friday, several employees got to the Dixie Highway store and quickly realized something wasn't right.

"They called me and they told me that the building felt warmer than usual, so we ended up calling our HVAC company that we use," Fabian explained.

He said the HVAC technician saw that the unit was open and parts were gone.

"He noticed they literally took all the components out from the inside of the unit, which he believes they pretty much scrapped it for copper," said Fabian.

Getting ready for a busy first summer in that location, Fabian never expected a problem like this, especially with the AC unit being on the roof. He said the HVAC technician was surprised, too.

"He was very shocked because you needed a pretty big ladder to get on the roof, and they did some work to just get up there," he said.

This isn't the first time copper thefts have caused problems. In March, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet began asking the public to help stop copper thieves accused of stealing wire from streetlights across Jefferson County. KYTC said there have been several instances of reported copper wire thefts and since 2020, damages from the thefts have cost nearly $1 million.

In southern Indiana, police in Clarksville arrested two men suspected of stealing copper from local businesses in May.

LMPD said police are investigating the case at Panchitos on Dixie Highway, but adds these types of crimes don't only affect businesses -- they affect homes as well.

Police suggest:

Considering cut-resistant perimeter fencing around outside HVAC units.
Installing adequate lighting at points of entry and exit around the property.
Having a foliage assessment to remove the opportunity for coverage or shielding of someone attempting to gain access onto the property.
Using a security/burglary alarm system.

Panchitos Ice Cream closes Dixie Highway location after parts from AC unit stolen — Panchitos Ice Cream temporarily closes its Dixie Highway location after parts from its AC unit were stolen. (WDRB image from June 25, 2024)

Fabian is able to get employees work at the ice cream shop's Preston Highway location while he waits on a fix for the Dixie Highway store, and thanks customers for visiting the Preston location.

"We're anxiously waiting to open up again," he said.

He's hopeful reopening can happen soon, but there's not a set date yet.

"It's not a very common unit and on top of that, you've got to rent a crane, and it's like a busy season for HVAC companies," Fabian added.

He said the landlord has been incredibly helpful. LMPD said there are no known suspects in the case.

Police ask neighbors and business that may have seen an uptick in property crime to reach out to their division they are in https://louisville-police.org/159/Division-Maps and request additional patrols as available.

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