CAMDEN — Camden police aren't talking, but some of the victims of last night's business break-ins are Sunday morning.

Using rocks as battering rams, someone broke into three known businesses sometime Saturday night or Sunday morning. Burglarized were Harbor Dogs down on the public landing, Camden Exxon on Union Street and Scott's Place up at Reny's Plaza.

Tony Pike of Scott's Place said he was woken up by police around 7 a.m. this morning.

"They said the guy that owns the Laundromat across the way called and reported the break-in when he arrived this morning to open up," said Pike. Scott's, a popular hot dog, hamburger and seafood roll stand on the edge of the plaza parking lot is not normally open on Sundays. Otherwise, Pike would have likely been the one discovering the break-in.

As it was, Pike was inside the small food trailer late Sunday morning, sweeping up glass from the window that was broken and rearranging the items that had been strewn around inside.

"Here's the rock they threw through the door window," said Pike, pointing to a large rock atop a cooler. The rock was found on the floor inside the business, among various things scattered around.

Pike surmised the burglars were looking for money.

"They didn't take the cash register, but they took the change that was left inside it and searched around for more money," said Pike. "They didn't take any food. And when this kind thing happens, I'm always disappointed when people don't take the food from here."

Over at Camden Exxon, Steve Laite was cleaning up too, along with other members of his family, including small children.

"They drove a big rock at the window out back and found bars under the wood, so they went around to the side window and threw a rock through it, but I have bars on that window too," said Laite. "Then they tried to get in the front door window with a rock, but it only shattered like safety glass, and didn't break."

The fourth attempt was a success, and the rock they used was still on the garage floor, wedged between a jack and the tire of an impounded vehicle.

Once inside, Laite said the burglar(s) took a crowbar to the cash register and found a little change.

"It's obvious what they wanted – money and inspection stickers," said Laite. "The empty sheets of used stickers are the only thing I leave here, and they were scattered all over the floor. They walked right past power tools and spare charged batteries I leave by the door in case there is an access team call, and there was plenty more valuable in here they could have, but did not touch."

Finding only the empty sheets, and no inspectoin stickers, which Laite said are often stolen and sold for cash, the burglars vandalized the place.

"I think they got frustrated and started throwing things around, and breaking things," said Laite. "For no reason, they cleared a shelf and the counter, throwing everything to the ground and breaking stuff."

One of those things broken was a replica wood tow truck made by Laite's son with the Exxon logo on it.

"Senseless," said Laite.

Camden police had nothing to say about the burglaries Sunday morning. Laite, on the other hand, said he's made a bunch of phone calls to friends and local fellow business owners.

"I have called all the local station owners and told them to check their shops this morning and to be on the lookout," said Laite.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655.