Stolen Air Conditioners Land Men In Hot Water

May 25, 2011

Two different air conditioner thefts cases landed two men in hot water with the law Tuesday.

Walter Edward Gooden, 49, was arrested after witnesses told deputies that they saw him take the air conditioning unit from a residence on Rosalyn Way and pull it down the street on a dolly. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail on charges of grand theft and criminal mischief.

Just 19 minutes later, a witness watched as a man attempted to steal an air conditioner from the backyard of a neighboring house on Erress Boulevard. When deputies arrived, Cedric Antonio Young, 35, was arrested for criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. He was also charged with resisting arrest because he ran into an abandoned townhouse as deputies arrived.

“These are two excellent examples as to how well neighborhood watch groups work,” said Deputy Chris Welborn. “This type of cooperation with the community has put these two where they belong, in jail.”

Comments

5 Responses to “Stolen Air Conditioners Land Men In Hot Water”

  1. Sonya on May 25th, 2011 9:30 pm

    We own a heating and air company and if we vent or release freon, they can fine us up to $25,000. When people steal air conditioners they cut the refrigerant lines and release freon but are not charged by the EPA. I do not understand the logic here, how are they different that us???

  2. Atmore G on May 25th, 2011 3:19 pm

    I agree with Dan.. Law enforcement should concentrate more on some of these places that buy copper.. I know that they are trying to make a living, but I think that they should be skeptical of people that have a lot of copper from air conditioners for sale or come back time after time with copper.. I have never had more than one air conditioner go bad at the time..

  3. Molino Man on May 25th, 2011 8:35 am

    Glad to see neighbors watching out for idiots like these guys. Just hope that the homeowners had insurance to recover the cost.

  4. Dan on May 25th, 2011 8:24 am

    Glad these two criminals were busted.

    Coper theft from air conditioners cost the owners much
    more than these thugs can get selling the scrap metal.

    The scrap dealers who traffic if stolen metals should have
    their businesses confiscated !!!

  5. 429SCJ on May 25th, 2011 7:47 am

    If thy hand offend thee!