North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

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September 1, 2010

Gun used to thwart theft

Employee stopped possible robbery

By Ben Montgomery The North Jefferson News

FULTONDALE — Fultondale police said a man attempting to steal copper from Nx Level Fitness’s air conditioning unit was thwarted Sunday night when an employee held him at gunpoint.

According to Mitch Ross, owner of Nx Level Fitness, his employee, Chad Bearden, was at the gym around midnight when he noticed a truck parked at the north side of the building. When Bearden investigated further, he found William Whitmer, a former member of Nx Level Fitness, apparently attempting to cut copper out of the business’s air conditioning unit.

“Chad has a license to carry a weapon, so he pulled one and asked the guy what he was doing,” said Ross. “He tried to make up some story about his friend being stuck behind the building, but Chad called 9-1-1.”

Ross said the 9-1-1 dispatcher instructed Bearden to call the Fultondale Police Department.

“Like he had a phone book there or something,” said Ross.

Bearden told Whitmer not to move, and began to record the license plate number of Whitmer’s truck. However, Whitmer was near the driver’s side door and managed to get in and escape in his vehicle.

Bearden was able to give Fultondale police the license plate number and a detailed description of Whitmer’s vehicle.

“The man had a right to protect his property,” said Fultondale Police Detective David Smith. “We applaud him. He probably saved their AC system.”

Ross said Nx Level Fitness had five air conditioners stolen when he first bought the business.

“The good Lord had Chad pull up at the right time,” said Ross.

Police said they received calls about two hours later from residents at Chapel Creek Apartments in Fultondale reporting missing air conditioners.

“The residents had heard some banging sounds, but they assumed it was just some construction work or maintenance nearby,” said Smith. “Shortly after that it began to get hot, and they discovered their A/C units were gone.”

Two hours later, police said they found a truck matching Bearden’s description of Whitmer’s vehicle. Several air conditioning units were in the truck’s bed. Whitmer was arrested on charges of stealing the air conditioning units from Chapel Creek Apartments, and he is suspected in several other air conditioning thefts.

“He was actually in trade school studying to be a heating and air technician,” said Smith. “His bookbag was full of tools and books when we arrested him.”

Smith said this was one of many recent copper thefts in Jefferson County.

“Copper prices are extremely high right now,” said Smith. “There’s been an increase in property crimes. Usually thieves hit rental houses or abandoned property.”

Smith said the air conditioning units were returned to Chapel Creek Apartments, but he doesn’t know if they are operational or not.

“He got pennies on the dollar on what he got for the copper compared to what it would cost to fix the units,” he said.

Smith is urging anybody who sees something suspicious to call police.

“After the fact doesn’t help as much,” he said.

Police said more charges are expected to be brought against Whitmer.

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