YARMOUTH, Maine — Three different town's police departments are looking into a recent surge of burglaries that has now expanded its reach into southern Maine.
The targets of these crimes are predominantly small, locally-owned businesses.
Business owners suspect a connection among the incidents, as the spree began approximately three weeks ago and has since spread beyond Portland to South Portland and even Yarmouth.
The wave of burglaries started gaining attention on Christmas morning when security cameras captured individuals breaking into Taco Trio in South Portland.
The perpetrators revisited the establishment three times, ultimately stealing a safe on their third visit, totaling three thousand dollars.
Days later, the criminal spree continued with another break-in at the South Portland, Buena Vista Filipino Food Market.
The thieves entered through a window, taking $800 in cash and leaving the owner, Mae Tallarico, understandably shaken.
"Even at nighttime when I look at my camera here, I'm scared if someone comes in here again," Tallarico said.
The criminal activities transcended city lines, affecting five businesses in Portland itself. LFK, Coffee by Design, Blue Lobster Urban Winery, Onnigi, and Rosemont Market all fell victim to burglaries, each facing losses and damages.
Rosemont Market and Bakery reported a $400 cash stolen and $2000 loss after a rock smashed their back window and cash drawers were stolen, leaving the business community disheartened.
"When something like this happens, it's just, you feel violated in a way we're trying to do the right thing, but you know at this time of year it's a hard biz anyway," John Naylor, chairman of Rosemont Market said.
The situation escalated further when burglaries were reported in Yarmouth, signaling the thieves' expansion northward.
Joyce Chittick, owner of Honey Cone Ice Cream Social, revealed that despite not having cameras when they were targeted, the break-ins shared a distinct pattern.
"I'll say, from the videos we saw from those businesses that had surveillance cameras, it was identical, to what they took how things were left, and busting through the door. It wasn't a smash-and-grab kind of thing. It was well-thought. They were relaxed and they knew what they wanted to take," Chittick said.
The Portland, South Portland, and Yarmouth police departments are working collaboratively to solve these cases, considering the striking similarities among the incidents.
The community's involvement is crucial, as business owners have actively contributed to the investigations by posting surveillance videos online.