Dr. Adel Malahmeh, a New Iberia businessman, is facing a crisis as a ‘surge of robberies’ at his properties threatens to drive away customers. He owns nearly 90 buildings across Iberia Parish and surrounding parishes, but recently his businesses have become the target of a specific crime – the theft of A/C unit condensers for the copper inside them.
Malahmeh, who immigrated to New Iberia from the Middle East at the age of 23, is deeply concerned about the impact of the thefts on his business. He explains that people have been stealing his A/C condenser units, leaving behind significant damages and causing him financial losses. This trend has forced him to repeatedly replace the stolen units, leading to additional costs and inconvenience.
According to Malahmeh and his attorney, Frank Barber, the theft of copper from the A/C units has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in damages. The perpetrators are selling the copper for quick cash, leading to a cycle of thefts and replacements that Malahmeh finds unsustainable. Despite filing an incident report with the New Iberia Police, Malahmeh feels that more could be done to address the issue and prevent further thefts.
The thefts have left Malahmeh worried about the impact on his customers, particularly as the summer heat in Louisiana can be intense. He fears that the lack of air conditioning in his buildings may drive away customers, affecting his business in the long run. Malahmeh is hoping for a resolution to the robberies soon, so he can provide a comfortable environment for his customers and patients. He emphasizes the need for collaboration between law enforcement and businesses to address the issue effectively and protect the community from such crimes.