Two arrests in Lake County air conditioner thefts

Two Wildwood residents face charges they stole 68 commercial air-conditioning units in Lake County, police said Wednesday.

Ricki Lucas, 37, and Kevin Blottiaux, 36, both of the 32000 Block of Rolling Hills Road, were arrested Tuesday.

The thefts occurred between Oct. 1 and Dec. 17 at businesses throughout the county. The stolen equipment was valued at more than $100,000.

Police from the Lake County sheriff’s office, Gurnee, Grayslake and Round Lake participated in the investigation.

During the investigation, police gathered information from Lake County recycling businesses about Lucas and Blottiaux, sheriff’s police said.

Additionally, a witness to one of the thefts saw a black 1997 Buick LeSabre in the area, police said.

On Jan. 9, Lucas and Blottiaux were in such a car and were stopped by Lake County sheriff’s detectives, police said.

Five days later, on Tuesday, police caught the duo stealing a commercial air conditioner unit at Waukegan Gurnee Glass Company, 1200 Estes Ave. in Gurnee.

Lucas and Blottiaux were cooperative and admitted to all the crimes, police said.

Lucas and Blottiaux were charged with multiple felony theft counts.

Lucas’ bond was set at $50,000. Blottiaux’s bond was set at $100,000.

Both are scheduled to appear in court Feb. 5.