With ACs, copper thieves prey upon houses and commercial buildings in the middle of the night, then pilfer several hundred dollars' worth of copper, the BSO says. Homeowners and businesses, in turn, have to pay thousands to replace costly air-conditioning units.

With storm drains, however, it's unclear whether the bandits work round-the-clock, or only under the cover of night.

At any rate, if you happen to see anything suspicious -- say, a masked individual lugging around an AC compressor or storm drain covers (who is also carrying a burlap bag with a '$' painted on it...think "Hamburglar")  -- the BSO asks that you call Crimestoppers at 1-866-493-TIPS.

(That's 1-866-493-8477 if you don't feel like looking at the little letters on your phone's keypad.)