Thieves Rip Copper Coils From AC Units on Three Oxford Buildings

Cooper thieves have once again struck in Oxford.

Police are investigating thefts of copper coils from large commercial air conditioning units atop buildings in the Oxford Industrial Park.

The thefts occurred at three commercial buildings between February and March, according to a news release filed at the Oxford Resident Trooper's Office on Tuesday. The report states someone gained access to the business rooftops and cut hundreds of pounds of copper wire from large AC units.

in the recent crime spree was at 100 Willenbrock Road. That is where someone took 180 pounds of copper coils from the rooftop of the company’s building, police say. That incident was reported at the beginning of March.

Within the past week, police have also received similar complaints PTA Corporation at 148 Christian St., and from GEM Manufacturing at 4 Fox Hollow Road. Workers in those companies noticed a problem with the air conditioning units recently when they attempted to turn on the air when the weather was warm, police said, adding that environmentally damaging Freon gas contained in the coils could have been released into the environment.

Police say thieves are motivated by the scrap value of copper, which was trading at $3.88 per pound on Tuesday, according to CNN Money.

But the price they gain in scrap trading pales in comparison to the amount lost by the companies who were victimized. Each company sustained losses of $50,000 or more, police said.

Oxford Resident Trooper Sgt. Dan Semosky said copper thefts have become increasingly common in Connecticut and nationwide within the past five years.

He said police are currently inquiring about copper coils at scrap yards, where the thieves may have taken the copper. And police are actively patrolling the town looking for suspicious looking vehicles.

Police believe the thieves have some kind of knowledge of the heating and air conditioning ventilation (HVAC) industry. And, Semosky said he believes the thieves have a van or a large truck capable of holding a tall ladder.

The thefts most likely occurred overnight on weekend nights, Semosky said. Police ask anyone who has information to call the Oxford Resident Trooper's Office at 203.888.4353. All information will be kept confidential. And police ask anyone who sees suspicious trucks or vans near commercial buildings, especially at night, to call them.