The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating a number of thefts of air conditioning units that have occurred over the past two weeks.

Thefts of air conditioning units have increased recently because of the copper and aluminum contained in the units. Units are either stolen entirely or the top is unscrewed and the copper is removed. According to police, construction sites and vacant houses are being targeted because the units usually aren’t watched. In addition, business units are targets because they are usually located at the rear of a building, where there is no activity. Residential air conditioning units are stolen during the day when no one is home and at night when residents are asleep.

Police encourage anyone who sees or suspects air conditioning unit thefts to call 911 immediately. If anyone has information about these or other metal-related thefts, call either the Chapel Hill Police Department at 968-2760 or Crime Stoppers at 942-7515. Calls to Crime Stoppers are confidential and anonymous and the caller may be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,200 for information that leads to arrest.