Police: Thieves Targeting Freon
JACKSON, Tenn.- Jackson Police said thieves burglarized two local businesses Sunday morning, looking for something very specific that experts said can be dangerous. Police said Baker Distributing off of Airways Blvd. was the first business targeted. Officials said thieves broke into the back of the building and took eight 12-15′ inch aluminum canned containers of freon. The substance is used used in refrigerators and air conditioning units. “Well, I think they are getting hard up on everything, but freon,” questioned Leo Pierce. “That’s kind of strange. They’ll steal anything they can get a dollar off of or use. There are just no morals anymore.” Police said the type of freon stolen is not sold over the counter. Investigators said a few hours later, thieves broke into R.E. Michel off of Highway 45 Bypass. Both locations sell heat ventilation and air conditioning parts. Police said this case is unusual, as the most common commodity taken from air conditioning units is copper. Investigators said they are not sure why thieves are targeting the refrigerant, but they have two theories. Police believe the thieves are either looking to sell the substance or use it as a drug. Dr. Peter Gardner, medical director of Physicians Quality Care in Jackson, told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that inhaling this type of substance could cause permanent brain damage and cardiac arrest. “I mean it’s very dangerous,” said Dr. Gardner. “There is not a safe cleaning substance or outside substance that you should be inhaling.” Gardner said inhaling the substance is not common in West Tennessee, but it is a dangerous practice that needs more awareness. “There are some numbers by University of Michigan that one in five eighth graders tried huffing some substance at least once,” said Gardner. “I mean that’s quite a few people out there. I have some connection with local treatment centers and this is not something we’re seeing a whole lot of, but it is a national trend that we are hearing about.” Police are now urging all business owners to take precautions in securing their warehouses and air conditioning unit systems. So far police have made no arrests, If you have any information in this case call Jackson police or crime stoppers.
