HOUSTON – A 49-year-old man was arrested after a repairman reportedly caught him dismantling rooftop air conditioning units and taking copper at a Heights-area business.
Pedro Mendez Jr. was arrested after the repairman arrived at Northside Accident Injury Chiropractic to investigate damage to the business’ A/C units.
The business said its rooftop A/C units were damaged Aug. 31, when copper was taken from the units, leaving the business without air conditioning.
It took several days for a repairman to arrive to investigate the problem. When he arrived Sept. 2, the alleged thief was still on the roof, according to the business.
The repairman initially thought the man might be another worker. He soon realized the man was allegedly dismantling the building’s A/C units and taking copper.
Rather than confront the man, the repairman recorded video and returned downstairs to alert the businesses.
Mendez can be seen dismantling the A/C unit here.
Police were called, and officers eventually used a ladder to reach the roof and bring Mendez down.
Houston Police climb ladder to arrest Mendez
Mendez was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, according to police.
The business owner told KPRC 2 the damage and repairs cost tens of thousands of dollars. Several other businesses in the complex also claim to have had a similar issue, including Pump and Crunch on Airline Dr.
Copyright 2026 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.