Posted at 10:55 a.m., Monday, December 10, 2007
Copper thieves target AC system at Guam school
Associated Press
HAGATNA, Guam The scourge of copper thievery has hit Guam, and the latest victim is the new air-conditioning system at Tamuning Elementary School.Officials say thieves have ripped copper tubing from the school's new cooling system.
Guam Public School system spokesman Gerry Cruz says the repair will cost about $20,000, even though the resale value of the tubing is much less than that.
He says the damage went well beyond the loss of the copper tubing because the thieves cut wires through a control unit.
The new air conditioning was supposed to be ready when students return from the holiday break.
An old unit is still operating, but principal Kathy Reyes says it could break down at anytime.
Information from Pacific Daily News: www.guampdn.com