Copper Thieves Target Edmond Church

Edmond Police are investigating a large copper theft, the city's first of the year.

Thieves hit Heritage Baptist Church sometime between New Year's Eve and Wednesday. A church member was picking up trash around the church Wednesday evening when he noticed three air conditioning units were vandalized.

Edmond Police Department spokesperson Glenda Chu said the thieves stole at least $9,000 worth of copper, but will only make $200 or $300 from the heist. Chu said this is the biggest copper theft the department has seen in a while.

Head minister Steve Rains said it's a big loss for the church, but he's thankful it didn't happen during the hot summer months. Rains said insurance will cover most of the expense but whatever the church has to pay out of pocket will come from a mission's fund.