Theft Alert: Air Conditioning Units

The La Crosse Police Department is investigating the theft of central air conditioning units from La Crosse area Churches and businesses.

Over the last week there have been 17 central air conditioning units reported stolen. The thieves are cutting power and refrigerant lines, and removing the entire central air conditioning unit. It is believed the units are being disassembled and the metal is being salvaged from these units. These units are very heavy, weighing an estimated 150+ pounds. It appears a truck or large type of vehicle is being used to haul these units from the crime scenes.

List of victims that have reported thefts as of today;

• November 2nd – Christ Covenant Church at 3630 County Road B – 2 A/C condenser coils
• November 9th – Coulee Rock Community Church at 3059 Medco Ct – 3 A/C Units
• November 10th – NAPA Store at 2020 Hwy 16 – 2 A/C units
• November 10th – PM Sleep Center at 2006 Hwy 16 – 5 A/C units
• November 13th – Girl Scout Office at 2710 Quarry Rd – 2 A/C Units
• November 13th – Boy Scout Office at 2600 Quarry Rd – 3 A/C units

Local business owners should be aware of these thefts and review any security camera footage to see if they have any suspicious vehicles or persons recorded on their security systems. It is also highly recommended that if you are a business or property owner, and you don’t have a security system, you should consider the installation of a security system for both inside and outside of your business to help prevent these types of crimes. In the event of a crime, these security systems can be integral in helping to identify responsible parties so they can be arrested and prosecuted.

If you have any information about the suspects involved in these thefts, please call La Crosse Police Investigator Tony DeLap at (608) 789-7216.

Information can also be reported anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (608) 784-TIPS (8477) or by texting “LAXTIPS plus your message” to 274637 (CRIMES).  You can also use the online Web Tip Form.  You may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information provided leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment of a felony offender.