NATCHEZ — This week’s sweltering temperatures prompted an alleged burglar to cool off on someone else’s dime.

Amos Ray Townsend, 48, No. 1 Temah St., was arrested Thursday and charged with burglary of a dwelling after a police officer caught Townsend in the act of stealing an air conditioning window unit from a house on Fourth Street, Police Chief Mike Mullins said Friday. The officer had been dispatched to the house.

“(Townsend) was still inside the residence when the officer got there,” Mullins said. “(Townsend) went out the back door, and the officer saw the suspect covering up the air conditioner he had taken out.”

Mullins said the burglary occurred at approximately 6 p.m., Thursday, and the owners of the house were not there at the time.

Townsend is being held without bond at the Natchez City Jail until his arraignment.