Cobourg Police are investigating after copper wire was taken from air conditioning units at Beyond The Blue Box.
Police were called to the registered charity on Covert Street after staff noticed that the three air conditioning units purchased within the last two years weren’t working on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.
Two of the units are on the roof of one building weren’t working along with one unit on the ground in another building.
“We purchased them because we had people here with breathing problems – so it was a necessity to have them,” said Executive Director of Beyond the Blue Box, Jane Stevenson.
On Wednesday, Stevenson noticed the temperature in her office was 85 degrees.
“I turned the air conditioning on and it didn’t go on.”
“Then I noticed on the other building where there are two roof-top units that it wasn’t working as well.”
An employee went to investigate and quickly determined all three devices had been tampered with.
Copper hose was pulled off two units on the roof of the one building, and another unit was damaged from the copper hose being cut.
Stevenson believes suspect/s were interrupted after they cut one end of the copper wire and were likely scared off.
“I think it’s horrible.”
“Here we are trying to be a member of the community and trying to be a good neighbour to people. We try to do everything in our power and we go beyond what our scope is for our mandate is – it’s sad.”
Police believe the maximum amount of what the copper would be worth is approximately $30, but the damage could add up to over $1,000.
“It’s going to cost us at least a thousand dollars to have it repaired and put coolant back into the units for 10 feet of copper pipe.”
Staff and police will be going over store security video from inside and outside.
Beyond the Blue Box was broken into three times in 2018.
If anyone has any information they are asked to call Cobourg Police at 905-372-6821 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Cobourg Police are also investigating a break and enter at a local downtown business on July 10, 2019. The suspect(s) entered the premise and a quantity of cash, jewellery and electronic items were taken.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
