Created: 12/28/2009 6:28:20 PM 
Columbia, SC (WLTX) - It's supposed to be the season for giving not taking, but there's a grinch out there with a taste for copper--and your home may be the next one on his shopping list.
Jackie Frederick is trying to find joy after someone tried to ruin her holiday cheer. "This is where you live, and if they can come that close to where you live, it's not like a rake or anything else they've stolen out there,"said Frederick.
It's hard for Frederick to get a good night's rest. "I heard voices underneath my window, like people whispering,"said Frederick. The 65 year-old says on two separate nights last week, someone tried to steal her heating and air unit from her home on Gervais Street.
"It makes you feel vulnerable,"said Frederick--and cold too. She's relying on electric heaters and extra layers of clothing to stay warm. But after Frederick called News19, we called around to get her help.
Neil Causey with 2nd Wind Heating & Air Conditioning came out to take a look at the damage. He says it's all a familiar sight this time of year. "A bunch of goofballs trying to take advantage of an elderly person that now has no heat, and we're coming into the coldest part of our winter,"said Causey.
Causey says if the suspect or suspects were trying to make money off the copper inside the unit, they weren't going to get much.
"Maybe $45 at the most, and then on top off that, they destroy a $6,000 unit,"said Causey. He and several other workers from 2nd Wind Heating & Air Conditioning reinstalled the unit and even repaired her fence. "Look at it like this: Something bad happened and something good is coming out of it,"said Causey.
Frederick agrees. "Somebody good came along,"said Frederick.
Meanwhile, she hopes those responsible are brought to justice. "I hope they get caught and get locked up and severely punished,"said Frederick.
In the meantime, Frederick says she's got a surprise for the person or persons if they decide to target her home again. If you have a story you need our help with, contact us through On Your Side. You can either send an email to News19@wltx.com or call 647-0223.
