When employees of three auto repair businesses went to open shop Wednesday morning, they were met with a surprise.

"I walked through the door, and there was a brick lying here and glass allover the floor," said James Pickel with Big O Tires in Marshfield.

That led to a busy morning of sweeping and vacuuming, before crews could install new windows.

In every one of these robberies the intruder took an object, broke out the window, and entered the building looking for the cash register.

In one shop, however, the criminals didn't get what they were looking for.

"Our fax machine was missing.  That was the only thing.  What we're thinking is they though that was the cash register instead of the fax machine," said Jackie Waugh with the Quick Change in Strafford.

The string of burglaries started over the weekend when the Performance Cycle Shop and Sunny Buns Tanning Salon in Republic were hit.

On Monday a business in Branson fell victim.

Then, the three automotive shops were hit early Wednesday morning.

Businesses say, at first, they didn't think much of it.

"I just figured it was some punk kids running around doing something until we found out a couple of other businesses had been hit and their cash registers were gone," said Pickel.

Other victims of the smash and grab burglaries say it's only a matter of time before the vandals are caught.

"We're right in the middle of a business district, and right on a busy street.  The people were very brave to try this where we are at, I would think," said Ricky Icenhower with Premier Automotive in Fair Grove.

It's not confirmed that any of these burglaries are connected, but law-enforcement says the incidents sent up a red flag.

Branson police say witnesses saw two men getting into a white car at that location.

Currently, that's the only suspect information we have.

If you have any information on these burglaries, you are urged to call your local police.

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