PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Seven HVAC units were stolen some time Monday night from a northeast Portland church, police say.
The theft at Rivercrest Community Church on Northeast 148th Avenue was reported Tuesday morning.
The HVAC units, which were used to heat and cool the church, had been placed around the church building.
Each is worth about $9,000, police say.
Pastor Ron Laughlin says thankfully there is a back-up heating system to keep church members warm, but he's disappointed someone would target a church.
"I believe these were probably professional people who knew exactly what they were doing," he said.
Pastor Laughlin says just a week ago the church garage was broken into. He believes the two thefts are connected.
"My first thought was, they had cased the joint because they broke into our garage last week," he said.
He also said it would've taken at least a group of men to lift the heavy units and haul them all away.
Church insurance will cover most of the cost of replacing the units.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to email CrimeTips@PortlandOregon.gov.
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