Cold Criminals Grab Air Conditioners in Tinley Park

Cold-blooded criminals are making off with large air conditioners in Tinley Park.

Just in time for warm weather, thieves have snatched at least 10 air-conditioning units from businesses in the past two weeks, according to Tinley Park police.

One air conditioner was reported stolen sometime between March 30 and March 31 from behind Beyer Chiropractic, 17025 S. Harlem Ave., according to a report. The newer-model Tappen-brand unit was sitting on a concrete pad near the rear entrance to the business.

The power cable and refrigerant lines were broken, according to a report. Police were unable to find any signs the unit was dragged or dropped. No other units on the east side of the building were damaged.

One week later, another theft of six air conditioners was reported at or near Beyer Chiropractic. An employee said another unit was taken and a second was damaged sometime before 6:50 a.m. on April 2, according to a report. Muddy footprints on the back stairs to the office led up to where the air conditioner was, the employee told police.

The employee also reported that units from three other locations in the 17000 block of South Harlem Avenue were stolen, according to the report. Police said the copper pipe and wiring that led to the units was cut in a way suggesting bolt cutters were used.

In another incident reported April 5, a man who went to check on a vacant building at 17040 S. Oak Park Ave. found the air conditioner missing. The Amana-brand unit was about 10 years old. The owner did not know the value.

Two other air conditioners were reported missing from behind Peoria Manufacturing Inc., 17620 S. Duvan Dr. An employee said the units, which were concealed by large evergreen trees, disappeared sometime between March 28 and April 1. Both units are at least 10 to 15 years old.

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Police report information is provided by the Tinley Park Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

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