Two air-conditioning units recently were stolen from outside the Salvation Army Worship and Community Center in the 3700 block of Telegraph Road in the Arnold area, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reports.
The theft occurred between Nov. 25 and Dec. 18.
At about 12:20 p.m. Dec. 18, church maintenance personnel noticed the missing air-conditioning units. They had been moving some items to a storage shed and decided to check on the units after hearing about recent thefts at other area churches, the report said.
The stolen units were estimated at $1,500, according to the report.
As of today (Jan. 2), the units had not been recovered, and there were no suspects or arrests, said Capt. Ron Arnhart of the Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office and local police departments have received reports of stolen air conditioners or air-conditioner parts from at least nine local churches since Nov. 3.
Often the thieves steal the equipment to sell for scrap, Arnhart said.
Other churches that have had air-conditioning equipment stolen include:
■ Windsor Baptist Church in the 6700 block of Hwy. 61-67 in Imperial, which has been hit twice.
■ Family of Christ Church in the 5800 block of Hwy. 61-67 in Imperial.
■ Bethel Baptist Church in the 5600 block of Old Hwy. 21 in Imperial.
■ First Baptist Church of House Springs in the 4300 block of Gravois Road.
■ Hillside Presbyterian Church in the 4800 block of Hwy. 30 in House Springs.
■ Connection Worship Church in the 8200 block of Commercial Boulevard in the Pevely area.
■ Both of Springdale Baptist Church’s two locations – one in the 1700 block of Springdale Boulevard in the Fenton area and another in the 6700 block of Old Hwy. 21 in Barnhart.
■ In addition, First Baptist Church of Murphy in the 200 block of Old Sugar Creek Road in the Fenton area had a fence and air-conditioning unit damaged, but nothing was stolen, Arnhart said.
He said the Sheriff’s Office has warned local churches about the thefts.
In addition, the Sheriff’s Office is stepping up patrols around them in an effort to curb the thefts.
Arnhart said the crimes could be related, but he’s not sure.
He said churches aren’t the only victims either.
Local businesses and other buildings have been targeted, too, Arnhart said.
He said people can have cages installed over air conditioners to help prevent thefts.
Arnhart said security screws also can be installed on air conditioners to make it hard to take them apart and get to the coil. In addition, the installation of security equipment can help.
Arnhart urges anyone with information about any of the thefts to call the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 636-797-5515.