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Woman: Owner of AC repair company damaged unit, stalked me

NORTH FULTON COUNTY, Ga — A Fulton County grand jury has indicted an air conditioning repair company owner.

He’s accused of damaging a customer’s unit to better his chances of getting insurance money.

Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik was in court as that business owner went before a judge. The victim told police that the owner stalked her as well.

The woman said she got police involved when she saw James Terrell using a blow torch to damage her AC unit. Then she got a temporary protective order after she says Terrell wouldn’t leave her alone.

“A tree next to our house was struck by lightning, and the current ran into the house and basically blew out all of our electronics, our air conditioning system," the woman said.

She said she called Terrell Heating and Air to give her a quote on a new unit for her insurance. She said she was shocked when she came home and found owner James Terrell using a blow torch on the AC.

“I asked him what he was doing, and he was shocked turned around and said, 'I want to make sure this is dead.' I've worked with these insurance companies before.'"

The woman said she filed a complaint with her insurance company and police and told Terrell she wanted another company to do the work.

"He just fired off a series of text messages, threatening me," she said.

Police arrested Terrell for criminal damage to property and reckless conduct and the woman said she had to get a temporary protective order because Terrell wouldn’t leave her alone.

“I just want other consumers to be aware of people like this,” she said.

A grand jury indicted Terrell after he appeared before a judge Monday.

"For consumers, just to be aware of who they're inviting into their house," the woman said.

Terrell is out of jail on bond and is due back in court Aug. 25.