Thieves Target AC Units in Central Florida

Crime is heating up in Orlando, where authorities are reporting a rash of air conditioner thefts from homes and businesses.

The city has had 95 cases involving stolen or damaged air conditioners in the past four months. That compares with 52 cases in all of 2009.

In some cases, thieves are stealing the entire unit, leaving only a slab of concrete and cut wires.

Orlando Police spokeswoman Barb Jones says the cases are difficult to investigate.