AC theft caught on camera

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida businessman is speaking out after crooks stole the air conditioning unit outside his business.

Surveillance cameras captured the thefts in progress outside the NDT Solutions in Hollywood.

Last Wednesday, at around 11 p.m., a man, woman and child can be seen on surveillance video as they walked behind the security wall outside the business and stole an AC unit. "They noticed that there's a camera on top here, and you can see they're covering their faces," said Diego Rueda, the owner of NDT Solutions.

Sparks flew from one unit during the robbery, but it was not enough to deter the crooks from fleeing the scene with the unit. Rueda said, "They could have burned the place down. They could have created an electrical fire. They could have even killed themselves by trying to do this."

Rueda believes that the crooks were all related. At one point during the robbery, a dog appeared at the scene. "It's like a family," Rueda said. "It was like a family night out, and, as you can see on the video, there's a kid involved."

A few days later, on Saturday morning, a man was caught on surveillance video as he rode his bike behind the business and ripped out wires from a second AC unit. The crook put the wires inside his backpack and rode off.

The business owner believes the Saturday robber is one of the same crooks who stole the AC unit last Wednesday. "It's frustrating, and it's sad," said Rueda. "We don't know what to do now."

Rueda's business no longer has air conditioning, and he and his employees are forced to work in the heat.

The business owner hopes the bandits are caught.

If you have any information on the identities of these crooks, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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