ROCKLAND — Area law enforcement agencies are working together to solve a spate of business burglaries that have netted a thief, or thieves, thousands of dollars and put business owners on edge ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend.

In the past 10 days, Town Line Market in Warren, Flagship Cinema in Thomaston and JC Penney in Rockland have been burglarized, according to Knox County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Tim Carroll. In all three businesses, Carroll said the burglaries occurred in the middle of the night, when safes were broken into and money stolen.

Police are asking business owners to make nightly deposits to help insure against loss. They are also asking the public’s help in reporting suspicious activity, particularly recently in the vicinity of those businesses, for law enforcement to follow up on.

“Do not assume that an alarm you hear is automatically called in,” said Carroll Thursday.

With the holiday weekend approaching, he said it is likely businesses will have more cash on hand than normal, and it’s something that thieves are also aware of and could take advantage of.

“If business owners and employees are concerned about carrying cash out of the building at night, they are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency for an escort to their night depository,” said Carroll.

To report anything unusual, the public is encouraged to call 911 or their local police department.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 706-6655.