There could be a break in a rash of air conditioner thefts that have plagued Eastern Carolina churches. A New Bern man is accused of stealing the units from seven Beaufort County churches.
Deputies have arrested Mark Heppler back on November 5th for one church theft in the Aurora area and then further investigation led to six more charges for thefts in the Bath, Washington, Edwards, Pantego and Blounts Creek areas.
During the past several there have been dozen of copper thefts from church air conditioning units in Beaufort, Craven, Jones, Lenoir, Martin and Pitt counties.
Heppler is being held on a $50,000 bond and deputies say additional arrests are expected.
