NEW SHARON — State police are investigating three burglaries at businesses here and in Rome that occurred between 6 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday, Trooper Jillian Monahan said.

There were forced entries into Tracy’s Kountry Kitchen and White Water Farm Market on Routes 2/27 in New Sharon, and Pine Bluff Farm store on Route 27 in Rome. The thieves got into cash registers at the New Sharon stores and took a tip jar at the Rome store, Monahan said.

Two donation containers were cleaned out at Tracy’s. They were for a Mt. Blue school organization and Franklin County Animal Shelter, she said.

Evidence collected will be analyzed at the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory in Augusta.

Police are not sure if the burglaries are connected to another Farmington police are investigating on Routes 2/27, also known as Farmington Falls Road, at Sandy River Farm Market in Farmington during the same time frame, Monahan said. 

Also this week, a new chain saw was stolen from woods in Rome, she said.

Police are looking for a gray Econoline van, she said. The vehicle appeared to have had some writing on the driver’s side at one time and was headed toward New Sharon, she said. 

It is unknown if the theft is connected to the business burglaries.

Anyone who saw suspicious activity or a suspicious vehicle parked in the parking lots of the New Sharon and Rome businesses are asked to call Maine State Police at 207-624-7076.

dperry@sunjournal.com