HOPKINSVILLE POLICE DETECTIVES SAY COPPER THEFT HAS BEEN RISING STEADILY OVER THE PAST YEAR, BUT ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.  THIEVES ARE REMOVING COPPER, ALONG WITH RADIATORS AND THE ALUMINUM HOUSING FROM AIR CONDITIONING UNITS AND TAKING THE SCRAP METAL TO SALVAGE YARDS TO SELL.  OVER 100 AIR CONDITIONING UNITS HAVE BEEN TARGETED BY THIEVES DURING THE PAST YEAR, BUT THE PAST TWO MONTHS ALONE HAS RESULTED IN OVER $100,000 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE TO AIR CONDITIONING UNITS IN THE CITY.  THIEVES TARGET AREAS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SECURE, SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION SITES, VACANT BUILDINGS, AND UNOCCUPIED HOMES.  HOPKINSVILLE POLICE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO CONTACT THEM IF THEY SEE ANYONE RUMMAGING AROUND AIR CONDITIONING UNITS, VACANT BUILDINGS, OR CONSTRUCTION SITES.  IF ANYONE HAS KNOWLEDGE OF A PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SCRAP METAL THEFTS PLEASE CONTACT THE HOPKINSVILLE-CHRISTIAN COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS AT (270) 887-TIPS.  IF YOUR INFORMATION LEADS TO AN ARREST, CRIME STOPPERS WILL PAY YOU A CASH REWARD.