Thieves Steal Copper From School

HOUSTON -- Copper thieves targeted an east Houston school, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

Officials said two 3-ton air conditioning units were stolen from the administrative office and the kitchen of Atherton Elementary School, located at 2011 Solo St.

Principal Alfred Lemon said something told him to check on his school's property after learning that copper thieves hit the Julia C. Hester House across the street over the Thanksgiving holiday.

He said everything seemed OK. However, the next morning, a school employee found that two of the air conditioning units were ripped apart for the copper.

"People nowadays don't have any love and compassion for anybody," Lemon said.

It was the latest in a string of thefts in the Fifth Ward.

But Houston Mayor Bill White said the crimes have a struck a nerve with him.

"Hester House and all of the communities it serves and this elementary school are pillars in the community. We're trying to revitalize and I'm just tired of this," White said.

The mayor said the city will work with Crime Stoppers to provide a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrests of whoever committed the crimes.

White said, if needed, he would provide the reward with his own money.

"If nobody else will, I'm guaranteeing it. I'm personally guaranteeing it," he said.

"That's what you would call a great mayor," Lemon said.

The mayor said city crackdowns have led to some arrests, including 50 in one week last year.

Lemon said he just wants the thieves who targeted his school to be caught.

"I wish I could find out who has done this. I'd love to take that $10,000 and give it to the children of this school," he said.

The mayor said this will not be the last effort to stop copper thieves.

"I'm sure there'll be more coming in the future and we're just going to escalate the war against these copper thieves," White said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.