Church suffering after air conditioner units stolen

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - One three-ton air conditioning unit was stolen a week and a half ago from the Sanctuary Church .

After that, the church beefed up security, adding locks and chains around the remaining units. But overnight Wednesday into Thursday, four more units were stolen. That brings the total stolen to nine stolen in the last few years.

Thieves steal the large units to strip metal out of them to sell. But the thefts have left the church worrying about the heat forecast in the coming weeks. They're taking a compassionate stance toward the thieves, though.

"The first feeling that I had was anger. And then once I talked to my pastor we talked about it - these are people we need to pray about," said Chris Medcalf, who heads up the heating and air conditioning for the church.

Pastor George Martin echoed that sentiment.

"Even in the midst of whatever you're going through right now," he said, speaking to whoever stole the units, "there's still hope, and there's still help, and we're praying for that help to reach you."

At this point, police said, there are no suspects.