Police arrest suspect in series of air conditioner thefts
Wichita Police have a 41-year-old man in custody for a recent series of air conditioner thefts from homes, churches and businesses.
The man was caught after a brief chase Wednesday when police saw him taking a unit from a home in the 11,100 block of East Pawnee.
Police Captain Jeff Easter said information was given to officers about a suspect and a red pickup that was seen at some locations where air conditioner thefts were reported. A suspect was arrested June 27 after an air conditioner theft at a church near 23rd Street North and Market, but the church declined to press charges.
Officers decided to put the man under surveillance. He was caught after the Pawnee incident.
Easter said detectives found information that the man may have taken apart 68 air conditioners for scrap metal. Police are working to determine the charges in the case. They want to hear from anyone who has had an air conditioner stolen and did not report it.
Easter said there were four air conditioner thefts reported in the northern part of the city in June, and another three thefts were being investigated in the south bureau.
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