North Charleston Police arrested two brothers from North Carolina, Gerson Molina Jimenez (26) and Juan Molina Jimenez (33), for multiple air-conditioner thefts from unfinished apartment complexes.
Incident Overview
Officers caught the suspects at the scene on the 2900 block of Ingleside Boulevard after an overnight theft reported around 8 a.m. on Friday; surveillance video showed them loading air handlers into a van post-shift. The arrests linked to prior thefts, including three men stealing units from Cypress Lakes on Weber Boulevard on Jan. 30 and three roofers taking units on Feb. 4.
Charges and Detention
Both face grand larceny charges and were booked into Al Cannon Detention Center. As construction workers at the sites, they exploited access after hours, targeting high-value HVAC components amid rising scrap metal values.
Broader Context
Such thefts plague construction sites nationwide due to copper content in AC units; prevention includes cages and surveillance. No updates on court dates or third suspect as of early February 2026.
