Gloucester Police trying to identify man as part of investigation into break-ins

GLOUCESTER, Mass. — Gloucester Police are investigating a series of break-ins that have occurred over the past few weeks.

Police said Wednesday that all of the break-ins - as many as ten - occurred at businesses between 1:30 and 5 a.m. The suspect took cash and police say they sometimes hit multiple locations in one night.

Officials believe all of the break-ins are connected and that there may be as many as three suspects.

Police have released images of individual(s) caught on surveillance they are hoping to identify. Police are warning residents to be on alert and are asking for anyone with information to call them at (978)281-9753.

Glen Asaro owns Sunbanque Tanning on Prospect Street in Gloucester. He says his place was one of the first targeted.

The thief took a hundred dollars in cash and left a crowbar on the counter.

"We keep $100 in the drawer for change and it was gone," Asaro said. "Unfortunately at the time we didn't have video surveillance.  That didn't help them at all."

Asaro said he has stopped leaving cash at his tanning salon overnight. He's also making some serious upgrades.

"It's something I thought about but I've never done and never needed it," Asaro said. "But it's a good idea to have perimeter security outside and an alarm system inside."

Most recently, three businesses were hit consecutively at the Cape Ann Marketplace.

"We don't have any indication that they are going after residences, but everyone should take the usual precautions of locking their doors and things like that," said Lt. Michael Gossum of Gloucester Police.

Police say the break-ins are happening between 1:30 and 5 a.m.

Cox Media Group