Pasadena officials offered tips Sunday to thwart copper wire thefts plaguing local businesses, particularly rooftop air conditioning units.

 Within the past week, copper wire thefts have occurred from rooftop air conditioning units, often adding up to thousands of dollars in each incident,  city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said.

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She said Sweet Red Peach, a popular bakery at 319 S. Arroyo Parkway, and the Petsadena Animal Hospital at 959 S. Raymond Ave. were the latest victims. The city is looking into whether the two thefts are connected.

Employees at the animal hospital shared photos and surveillance video with NBC Los Angeles that shows damaged HVAC units on the roof. In the images, you can see at least one person on camera climbing down a wall.

 We do have small units that we purchased. We purchased some swamp coolers, and we've had to purchase an additional freezer to hold all the ice for the swamp coolers, but that is requiring us to make ice runs every day,  Darlene Lopez with the Petsadena Animal Hospital told NBCLA.

The animal hospital is now entering its second week without a functioning AC.

 Both continue to conduct business,  she said.  But it has had an impact financially (purchasing portable air units, ice, etc.) and, with unseasonably high temperatures the past several days, it takes a toll on working conditions. 

Rooftops units are particularly vulnerable because they are out of sight and often situated on flat, easily scalable commercial buildings. Derderian suggested that to protect rooftop HVAC units from cooper theft, businesses should restrict roof access and physically secure air conditioning and other equipment.

 Where possible, they should also install heavy-duty, tamper-resistant steel cages around the units (and) keep all ladders locked away. Set up motion-activated security cameras that immediately alert business owners or landlords to unauthorized rooftop activity,  she said.

Those with any information regarding copper wire thefts were urged to call the Pasadena Police Depar

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