CATAWBA CO., N.C. -- Police in Catawba County are investigating more a dozen break-ins that business owners discovered Thursday morning.

Officers said they believe all the incidents are connected.

Authorities said the burglar or burglars unscrewed or pried out the locks on the doors of small businesses ranging from hair salons to dry cleaners and then stole money out of the cash registers.

Authorities said there were at least seven burglaries in Newton, four in Hickory and one in Conover.

The business owners said they kept very little money in the registers. One victim said she feels sorry for the thief or thieves.

“I feel sorry for them because they must be desperate to break into a beauty school,” said Kathy Pitman. “So I really do feel sorry for them.”

The police in all three towns are working together to try to identify a suspect. They are also looking for any possible video from overnight.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to call the Hickory Police Department at (828) 328-5551.