ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Two men were arrested in connection to separate A/C unit copper theft incidents, the Albany Police Department (APD) said Tuesday, June 30. One was caught on a roof mid-theft, and the other was identified from surveillance footage.

APD said Paul Hart, 54, and Toronto Jones Jr., 35, were arrested and taken to the Dougherty County Jail.

Hart was reportedly spotted by APD officers on the roof of a business actively taking copper out of an A/C unit. He was charged with felony criminal damage to property (2nd degree) and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, APD said.

Jones was identified after authorities reviewed surveillance footage of a different A/C unit being damaged. He was charged with felony criminal damage to property (2nd degree) and felony theft by taking.

But are the incidents connected?

APD clarified that while Hart and Jones were each linked to individual theft incidents, officials are working to learn if either of them are connected to any additional cases reported in the area.

According to WALB’s previous coverage, recently reported theft locations include Phoebe Neurosurgery, a residence in the 1300 block of Dawson Road and other businesses including Harbor Freight, Arby’s and a building inside Brooks Plaza.

Anyone with information about damage to A/C units is asked to contact the Albany Police Department or Crime Stoppers. APD officials said there is a possible reward.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook, Instagram and X. For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app and add WALB as a preferred source on Google.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.