A Mobile man was arrested on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, after police said they caught him on the property of a Girby Road business with two air conditioning units that had been removed from the building. Darnell Craig, 57, is charged with first-degree theft of property, possession of burglary tools and second-degree criminal trespassing in the Girby Road theft, according to the Mobile Police Department.
Officers were called to The Putting Place at 5103 Girby Road just after 10 a.m. Friday in reference to a theft in progress, MPD said in a news release. When they arrived, they found a man still on the property. Police said he had two air conditioning units that had reportedly been removed from the business. Craig was taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail.
The Charges
Craig faces three charges, according to MPD:
- Theft of property, first degree. In Alabama, theft becomes first-degree when the value of the property exceeds $2,500, among other circumstances. It is a Class B felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
- Possession of burglary tools. Alabama law makes it a crime to possess tools or instruments with the intent to use them in the commission of a burglary or theft. The offense is a Class C felony, carrying a potential sentence of one year and one day to 10 years.
- Criminal trespass, second degree. This charge generally applies to knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building or on fenced property. It is a Class C misdemeanor.
Police did not say what tools were found, how the units were removed or what they were worth. Craig has not been convicted, and the charges are accusations that must be proven in court.
A Response While the Theft Was Underway
One notable detail in the case is timing. Officers were dispatched to a theft in progress, and police said the man was still on the property when they got there. Quick calls to 911 by business owners, employees or neighbors who notice something suspicious give police the best chance of catching a suspect in the act and recovering property before it disappears.
Once equipment like an air conditioning unit is hauled away, it can be difficult to trace. Units are often stripped for parts or scrapped for their metal content within hours, which is why investigators emphasize reporting suspicious activity immediately rather than waiting.
Why Air Conditioners Are a Target
Air conditioning units have long been a target for thieves across the country and along the Gulf Coast. The main draw is the metal inside. Condenser units contain copper tubing and coils, along with aluminum and other metals that can be sold to scrap buyers. When scrap metal prices rise, thefts of copper-bearing equipment tend to rise with them.
For property owners, the loss is far greater than the scrap value. Replacing a commercial condenser can cost thousands of dollars, and damage to refrigerant lines and electrical connections adds to the bill. In the heat of a Mobile summer and early fall, losing air conditioning can also shut down a business until repairs are made.
Alabama’s Scrap Metal Rules
Alabama has laws aimed at making stolen metal harder to sell. The state requires secondary metals recyclers to keep records of purchases, including identification of sellers, and places restrictions on buying certain items, such as air conditioning components and other regulated metals, without documentation. The aim is to create a paper trail that helps law enforcement track stolen property and discourages thieves from trying to cash in.
How Businesses Can Protect Equipment
Law enforcement agencies and industry groups often recommend a few practical steps to protect outdoor HVAC equipment:
- Install locking cages or enclosures around condenser units.
- Add motion-activated lighting and security cameras that cover equipment areas.
- Consider alarms that sound if a unit loses power or refrigerant pressure unexpectedly.
- Engrave or mark equipment with an identifying number to make resale harder.
- Keep fences, gates and access points secured, especially after hours.
- Encourage neighbors and nearby businesses to report unfamiliar vehicles or people around equipment.
What to Tell a 911 Dispatcher
When reporting a theft in progress, the information callers provide can make a real difference in how quickly officers find a suspect. Dispatchers typically ask for the exact address or nearest cross street, a description of the people involved, including clothing, height and build, and a description of any vehicle, trailer or truck, along with a license plate if it can be seen safely. Callers should also say which direction a suspect is moving if they leave. Police stress that witnesses should never confront someone they believe is committing a crime; the safest role is to observe from a distance and stay on the line.
What Happens Next
Craig was booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail following his arrest. Felony cases in Mobile County typically begin with an initial appearance in district court, where bond conditions are addressed, followed by a possible preliminary hearing and presentation to a grand jury before the case moves to circuit court.
Anyone who sees a crime in progress in Mobile should call 911. Non-emergency information can be shared with the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-7211, and anonymous tips can be submitted through Mobile County Crime Stoppers.
Under the Alabama Constitution, most people charged with crimes are entitled to reasonable bail while their cases are pending, and Craig, like anyone accused of a crime, is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.