A string of burglaries that targeted dozens of businesses in the Ozarks is now over.

Thursday the Greene County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of several suspects in connection with the Smash and Grab burglaries.

In each, the burglars broke out windows and stole cash registers.

 20-year-old Scott Spence of Springfield is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary.

There are two other suspects who have not been formally charged, but businesses targeted are happy law-enforcement worked quickly.

"It's a good feeling to know that the legal system still works.  Sometimes things don't go the way you like them to, or the way you think they should.  Yeah, it was good news. Glad to hear it," said Ricky Icenhower of Premier Automotive in Fair Grove.

Premiere Automotive was one business hit.

Icenhower says the incident led to a lot of re-evaluations about safety.

"This is not something we are used to seeing by any stretch of imagination, so it kind of wakes you up," said Icenhower.

The Quick Change in Strafford was also targeted, but the burglars only got away with a fax machine sitting by the front window.

"I got a new one.  My customers are happy," laughed Jackie Waugh.

But funny or not, the burglaries are a serious matter.

"They probably did one, they could get away with it, started going, and then it got out of hand.  It's sad that people like that do those things," said Waugh.

In the string, the burglars were smart enough to know that several businesses had security systems. 

At Premier Automotive, burglars broke the window instead of opening the door. 

If they had done so, they would have broken the alarm contact.

Icenhower says he plans to update security around his business.

"Now we will have a motion sensor in the office, as well as some other things to be able to head that off for next time," said Icenhower.

Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott says his office will seek restitution from the crooks, and hopes to help those targeted.

"Unfortunately they have preyed upon these small business owners who have have done the right thing by doing a good job and making a difference in the community," said Arnott.

The sheriff went on to say that it's unlikely money from the registers will ever be found.

Charges are expected on two more individuals sometime Friday.

Scott Spence is being held in the Greene County Jail on a 25-thousand dollar bond.

To view our initial report on the smash and grab burglaries, click here.

Story ideas or comments?  Email me at wcarter@kspr.com