Joseph Beams

A Lehigh Acres man was arrested Friday after deputies say he was caught in the act of stealing copper coils from multiple air conditioners.

Joseph Beams, 27, of 3907 33rd Street SW, has been charged with 15 counts each of grand theft and criminal mischief.

Detectives from the Bravo District Criminal Investigative Division were working a burglary and theft operation on Friday due to recent reports of numerous AC thefts. While working the operation, detectives began observing a suspicious vehicle behind 2950 Winkler Avenue, officials said.

Detectives set up surveillance on the property.

Detectives heard what they believed to be a cordless drill near the building. A male, later identified as Joseph Beams, was observed near multiple air conditioning units before he left the area. Approximately one hour later, Beams returned to the business and began to load the cut air conditioning components (copper coils) into the bed of his white Ford F-150 pick up truck, officials said, adding detectives and deputies converged on Beams as he loaded a copper coil into the bed of his truck. There were fifteen separate air conditioners dismantled with the copper coils removed.

Beams was arrested on the spot.

The investigation continues as detectives look into whether Beams is involved in other AC thefts within Lee County.

Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office