Rash of break-ins at several businesses in Boston's South End

BOSTON — Police are warning small business owners after a rash of break-ins at several businesses in Boston's South End.

Police are now actively working to connect the dots after a morning full of shattered glass and missing cash.

At least four businesses had either their back or front windows smashed sometime Monday night into Tuesday. In at least two of the burglaries, the suspect took off with the entire cash register.

The businesses are located on Washington and Tremont streets and Shawmut Avenue.

Police responded to one call after the next Tuesday morning. Security alarms were activated as doors and windows to businesses were being shattered.

Business owners across the community say they are fed up and also feeling vulnerable.

“As I walked up to key the door, I noticed glass everywhere. Big smash," said Peter Moutafis, owner of Andy’s Cleaners. “To my chagrin, I was robbed!"

Moutafis said the thief even ran off with the cash register.

"Very shocking it was an old cash register, 20 years plus!" he said.

Moutafis said there was only $3 in the cash register.

His business was among at least four in less than a half mile radius in the South End targeted in smash and grabs sometime early Tuesday morning.

Police say the suspect who made a crashing entrance at Table and Tulip florist didn’t get a dime.

Next door, at Orinoco Latin Kitchen, the bandit who burst through the back door only got about $20.

"It keeps adding to the burden of running a business," Moutafis said.

“I got a $500 deductible. I have to pay it every time. This is the third time they’ve smashed my window," he said.

The crime pattern is making others wonder if they could be next.

“It’s tough to come here at 5:30 in the morning and have to watch your back," said Maya Hachem, owner of Appleton Café.

Her business' security alarm was activated around the same time frame as the other break-ins. She says it appears someone tried to bust open her triple-deadbolted door.

“We’re spending a tremendous amount of money on rent and taxes we’d like to feel a little more safe," Hachem said.

Police are not definitively linking any of these cases, but they say detectives are actively investigating.

It’s unclear if any of these crimes were caught on surveillance.

Cox Media Group