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Thieves target west side homeowners

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Home owners living near High School Road and Linda Lane are heated over a rash of recent robberies.

17 air conditioning units were ripped off the wall from the outside or removed from the ground. That’s a lot of work for thieves, but it doesn’t equal a big payday when they try to sell the metal.

The first crop of reports were called in to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department on June 15, followed by a handful more on June 17.

A local recycling plant says the going rate is $10 dollars for the exterior and $20 for the inside. That’s about 75 pounds of aluminum copper, a mere fraction compared to the amount many west side Indianapolis home owners will have to pay to buy a replacement.

“This caused a big headache. It will probably cost $5,000. I have insurance but that is probably the amount people who don’t have it will pay,” said homeowner Paula Parker.

“This was very bold because the police and fire department are just blocks away on High School Road. There are major streets close by that seem to give criminals easy access to escape quickly. Behind our homes is 465,” said Tanya Richie

Experts say there are ways to slow thieves down by putting a protection cage or tamper resistant screws to bolt the unit securely to the ground. Many cages cost around $300 dollars. If you would like more information from companies that sell these items, click the links below.