A late December rash of copper coil thefts damaged multiple heating and air conditioning systems in The Hamptons neighborhood in Huntersville and is considered a high-priority case for the Huntersville Police Department.
From Christmas Day through Dec. 29, 12 thefts and two attempted thefts were reported in a multi-block section near the Statesville Road entrance to The Hamptons. The larcenies involved the removal of copper coils from the exterior condenser units of residential HVAC systems.
According to police reports, the suspect or suspects removed the tops and fans from the units and cut out the cooper coils on units at 12 houses in the neighborhood. Two other exterior units were damaged in apparent attempts to remove the copper.
Copper theft is a growing trend. Copper can be sold as scrap metal for prices ranging from $3 to $4 a pound.
The copper contained in a typical residential condenser unit, according to Joel Freeze of Freeze Refrigeration in Mooresville, will vary based on the size of the unit but is usually in the eight to 10 pound range. But Freeze says the removal of the copper is just part of damage done to the overall system.
"In some cases, somebody trying to steal less than $100 worth of copper does thousands of dollars of damage to the system," Freeze says.
He says newer units and the freon system they use are particularly vulnerable to serious damage. If the freon is lost, the entire system may need to be replaced.
"It's not a minor theft," Freeze says, adding that the copper was stolen from units his company installed in a commercial facility in Salisbury and the equipment was ruined. "It caused $14,000 in damage."
Lt. Kevin Johnston, speaking for the Huntersville Police Department, agreed that the thefts are a serious matter. "It is not a minor issue and it is a priority for our department," Johnston says. "We understand this is a quality of life issue and we are taking it very seriously."
Johnston says the department's investigators are pursuing leads but that no details about suspects are being released.
"Right now, it still is a matter of spreading the word and letting people know this is going on," he says. "We are asking people to be on the lookout and encouraging them to keep lights on as much as possible around their houses."
Johnston also says the department wants residents who see any suspicious activity to contact the department or call 911 as soon as possible.
"The quicker they call us, the sooner we can get there," he says.
Anyone with any information about the crimes is also urged to contact Det. R.E. Rojas with HPD's Criminal Investigation Division at 704-464-5346.
