A copper thief has targeted a Webster church, and it was caught on camera.

Webster police said the thief ripped out about $6,000 worth of copper from an air-conditioning unit at Clearlake Chinese Church in the 500 block of North Austin on Oct. 13.

"We have never had anything happen like this in the last 30 years," Youth Minister Benjamin Lam said.

Police said the thief managed to disassemble the unit without any tools. That makes investigators think he knows what he's doing.

"I don't think this is his first time dealing with an A/C unit ? a job or trade," Detective Ray Berryman said.

"It's just someone who is thinking about himself and no one else," Lam said.

Investigators said the same man may be responsible for another theft at another church-based facility in September.

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