It happened at the La Hoya apartments on Richey near Ella in northwest Harris County around 3am.
The deputy says he spotted a pickup truck on the side of the road and investigated. The man told him his truck ran out of gas, but he was fine and drove off.
The deputy parked nearby and saw three men return in the pickup, jump out and grab four AC units worth up to $20,000.
After they drove off, the deputy pulled them over and arrested them for felony theft.
A wrecker driver got involved when he was called out to tow the suspects' pickup which had a container full of stolen copper in the back of it. Police say they arrested the driver when he allegedly tried to make off with that container.
