LIVERMORE FALLS — Police are investigating burglaries of three businesses that are believed to have happened either late Sunday or early Monday morning.

Entry was gained by force in all three cases, police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said.

Burglaries were reported Monday morning at the Lunch Pad and Group Adams Propane on Route 133, and My Friend’s Place on Route 17.

It appears that the person or persons were looking for mostly change, Steward said. A donation container for an animal shelter was taken from My Friend’s Place, and the back door was pried open to gain entry, he said. Cigarettes and other items were also taken.

It is unknown if anything was taken from Group Adams, but evidence may have been left behind from other burglaries, Steward said.

Evidence was collected and will be taken to the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or has any information that may help police is asked to contact Livermore Falls police Sgt. Vernon Stevens at 207-897-3424.

The break-ins follow a string of burglaries in Oxford, Franklin and Kennebec counties.

State police are investigating 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 that occurred between Oct. 19 and Oct. 20. 

Money in donation containers for an animal shelter and a school organization were taken in the break-in at Tracy’s.

Thieves got into cash registers at the New Sharon stores and took a tip jar at the Rome store, Trooper Jillian Monahan previously said.

Farmington police are also investigating a burglary at Sandy River Farm Market on Routes 2/27, also known as Farmington Falls Road, where a bank bag with cash and checks was stolen between Oct. 19 and 20. The store owner found the cash register on the floor and several bins and boxes had been searched through, Farmington police previously said.

Evidence was collected at all burglaries.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net