THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 28, 1995 TAG: 9506280458
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARA STANLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
If it's not the heat, it's the humidity that makes Barbara Harris' brick home feel like an oven.
The 52-year-old disabled woman, who rarely leaves her home in the 800 block of Bagnall St. bought an air conditioner last year for more than $500.
Monday, it was stolen from her window - one of several window units taken by thieves since summer's humid and muggy weather set in, Norfolk police said.
Harris said she can't afford another air conditioner.
``It is really hot. The humidity is very high,'' said Harris, who now is wary of crime in her neighborhood.
``I'm scared,'' she said.
During the past few days, when temperatures has soared near 90 degrees and the relative humidity has neared 100 percent, air conditioners have been hot items for thieves. Police reported Tuesday that five window units and a compressor from a central air system have been reported stolen since Friday.
``It happens every year about this time,'' said R.A. Rountree, a Norfolk detective. ``Next weekend if the weather is the same it will happen again.''
Police records show that at least 29 air conditioning units and parts were reported stolen in Norfolk during June, July and August of last year. Sixty-six were reported stolen during the summer months of 1993.
In Virginia Beach, the only other city where data was available, air- conditioner theft was considerably lower. At least 34 air conditioners and parts were stolen in all of 1994.
``More people here have central air conditioning,'' said Virginia Beach police spokesman Mike Carey.
Air conditioners are a target during the summer because they are easy to steal, Rountree said.
``Half of them aren't even bolted down,'' Rountree said. Many people simply place their air conditioners on the window sill, fill in the holes on its sides then pull down the window. This is an invitation for theft, he said.
``They can just lift the window and steal the air conditioner. It usually doesn't make any noise.''
Theft-prevention tips include bolting down the air conditioner, securing double-hung windows with metal pins or eyebolts and recording the machine's serial number so it can be identified by police.
``If you don't put the serial number on it,'' Norfolk Detective Rountree said, ``chances are pretty slim you'll get it back.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
PREVENTING THEFT
Bolt down the air conditioning unit.
Secure double-hung windows with metal pins or eyebolts.
Record the machine's serial number.
KEYWORDS: ROBBERIES AIR CONDITIONERS by CNB