Copper coil crimes call for a conviction

May 22, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

By amanda tonoli

Recently there has been a string of robberies involving the theft of copper coils from HVAC — air conditioning — units all over the state of Ohio.

Austintown Bounce has fallen victim to the copper thieves. Bruce Shepas, co-owner of Austintown Bounce, said this has happened in Austintown about eight or nine times and it is time for it to stop.

“These thieves scaled the rooftop of Austintown Bounce, along with a few others [businesses] over the past few weeks,” Shepas said.

Shepas had the unfortunate chore of having to fully replace the units the copper was stolen from because in the act, the units are completely damaged.

To replace an entire unit — a task many have to do because of extensive damages — costs approximately $10,000.

Shepas and Harold Porter, the other co-owner of Austintown Bounce, are offering a $500 cash reward to bring the thieves to justice.

“We challenge other local businesses that have fallen victim to pitch in,” Shepas said.

Shepas said he is seeking to make the reward “sweeter” to help a conviction as a result of these crimes.

In addition to the reward Shepas encourages people to be more aware and keep an extra eye out for these criminals.