INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (October 20, 2015) – The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) is investigating damaged air conditioning units at an apartment complex on the city’s east side.
The thefts happened early Tuesday morning in the 7900 block of Timber Ridge Dr. in Indianapolis. A witness called 911 after reporting seeing a man walking through the apartment complex yard to a vehicle with hand fulls of parts. Police responded and found more than 10 units destroyed. Police believe the suspect likely stole metal including copper wiring to make quick cash at scrap metal yards.
“Metal theft and scrappers operate year round depending on what they can get their hands on,” said IMPD Lt. Richard Riddle.
Police said they could start seeing more AC unit thefts. They said it all depends on the scrap metal market. The units destroyed Tuesday morning will likely have to be replaced, which could cost thousands of dollars per unit.
Indianapolis code states scrap metal yards are required to ask for sellers identification and take down their information. Police said though, copper and metal are hard to trace.
“Unless something has a serial number, it’s hard to track a piece of metal or copper that looks like any other piece of standard copper,” Lt. Riddle said.
Police said they rely on metal shops to be diligent about who they are buying items from.
The witness reported the suspect feeling in a late 90’s or early 2000’s Camaro or Firebird. If you know anything, call Crimestoppers at 262-TIPS.
