THE high price of copper and aluminium has made air conditioning units a target for thieves vandalising units for the scrap value of their components, but a current case in the US may make thieves there think again.

Daniel Arnot (25), Sabrina Westbrooks Arnot (21), Corey Beard (22) and Justin Joyner (24) have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy to release ozone-depleting substances into the environment and 12 counts of actually releasing ozone-depleting substances into the environment while allegedly stealing copper and aluminium from air conditioning units.

The indictment alleges that the defendants' crimes involved the dismantling of approximately 35 air conditioning units from 14 locations, including a church, and releasing R22 into the atmosphere. Each charge carries a maximum possible sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.