Thieves take off with bowling alley’s heat pump

Under the cover of darkness, one of four heat pumps at Windsor's bowling centre was stolen.

It took skill and the culprit seemingly knew what they were doing.

“I'm doubtful that we will recover our unit. The person was in and out very quickly; he seemed to know what he was doing. I'm sure he has plans for it so I don't think we will see it again,” said Sarah Kenny, the manager at Avon Valley Lanes, in a phone interview.

A maintenance employee at the popular bowling business, located in Windsor's industrial park, discovered the theft later in the day of Dec. 10. The theft was believed to have occurred sometime early that morning, prior to 2 a.m.

“We didn't notice it until Tuesday evening because the weather was so warm on Tuesday we didn't need the heat so much,” said Kenny.

Kenny said the bowling alley has four units in total, so they're down to three.

“We will have to pay and get a new one installed because we can't go without it at this time of year,” said Kenny, noting it will have to be paid for out of pocket as it wouldn't be worthwhile in the long run to go through insurance for just one pump.

“Our (bowling) machines do really act up if the building isn't at the right temperature,” she said.

Staff Sgt. Cory Bushell, of the Windsor District RCMP, said the local police force is hoping the public will help them locate the person or persons involved with stealing the heat pump.

He said the appliance was a larger style Fujitsu heat pump, approximately three feet by three feet by one foot.

Bushell said installed heat pumps are not a common item that gets stolen, although they have high resale value.

“Heat pumps are generally hard-wired electrically as well as tied to a building with refrigerant lines. Removal is very dangerous unless you're a qualified technician,” said Bushell.

He said the estimated value of the unit was $6,000.

“What's important to remember about this type of heat pump is it's what they call a ductless split, which means it requires another part of the unit on the inside of the building,” explained Bushell.

The thief left behind the inside component.

Bushell said the public should keep watch for any suspicious behaviour, and to alert the police if they notice a neighbour trying to install what looks like a used heat pump or looking to purchase only the inside component of the ductless split heat pump.

The police were provided with the unit's serial number as well as video surveillance from that night.

Bushell said the public can call the RCMP directly or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.