Arrest Made in String of HVAC Thefts

Working from an anonymous tip, a three department police task force has arrested a man they say is responsible for a string of rooftop thefts in the region. 

The task force, composed of members of the Spotsylvania and Stafford sheriff's offices and the Fredericksburg Police Department, employed a surveillance operation which resulted in the Aug. 19 arrest of 28-year-old Spotsylvania County resident Jonathan Nestor. Nestor is currently free on an $8,000 bond.

Nestor was charged with grand larceny and grand larceny with the intent to sell after police say he took apart two large heating and air conditioning unites on the roof of the former Sunset Thai Restaurant in Central Park. The theft resulted in the complete destruction of the units, valued at $60,000. 

Police seized evidence from Nestor himself, his car and his house. The evidence has been turned over to the Virginia State Forensics Lab for analysis. 

Police say Nestor is the primary suspect in other rooftop HVAC thefts at Gateway Village Shopping Center, the Fredericksburg Shopping Center, the Greenbrier Shopping center, the Fredericksburg Industrial Park, Washington Square, Spotsylvania Towne Center and Culpeper Town Center.

Charges relating to those crimes will be presented to the respective Commonwealth's Attorney's Offices at a later date.