Woman’s Air Conditioner Stolen While She Slept

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Between foreclosures and the price of copper, air conditioning units are prime targets for thieves. A 63-year-old woman woke up hot and sweaty on Wednesday morning to learn her air conditioning had been stolen.

Caroline Garcia knew something was wrong right away. Her house was hot. When she checked the thermostat it said 85 degrees. She was surprised when she looked outside.

“It could kill me, that’s why I’m upset,” she said. “I can’t stand the heat and I’m not supposed to be in it. I have to take medication.”

Caroline Garcia is on a fixed income. She has no idea what she’s going to do.

“I can’t take anymore or borrow anymore, I can’t even pay this,” she said.

She says she’ll do the best she can until she figures it out.

“I’ve got a little fan in the bedroom, I sit in front of it,” she said. “That’s about all you can do.”

She’s glad her house sits where it does.

“Thank God the trees around here keep some of the sun out. With the brick combined, the brick keeps the house down stairs a little cooler,” she said. “I need an air conditioner.”

Even though Caroline doesn’t have the money or transportation, there is help available to her as well as others in similar situations. The city can’t buy air conditioning units for everyone but they can help keep everyone keep cool for a little while.

People can get help by calling 211 or 311. They will help arrange transportation to a cooling center.

Caroline called police and filed a report. She’s hoping she can ride out the heat wave.