For the second time in two weeks, police in North Bay are dealing with a series of break-ins and thefts at an array of local businesses.
While the search for any suspects is ongoing, there are similarities between the crimes.
Over the weekend, five businesses were broken into. Vic's Shoe Repair is one of those businesses.
Marcello Patella was going about his daily duties on Tuesday, but it hasn't exactly been business as usual so this week.
"The door was smashed open and so there was glass all over the floor at the front of our store," said Patella, Vic's Shoe Repair owner.
"We had cleanup crews come in and remove all the glass. We are still finding little shards here and there, because it was just so fine."
Patella's shop was one of five businesses hit with vandalism and theft over the weekend; which continued with a sixth hit some time on Monday night.
Similar to the string of break and enter cases police had dealt with two weeks ago, Constable Ken Ayres says these incidents have a common thread.
"They've thrown a rock through the window and subsequently gained entry to the businesses. If they can't find what they are looking for, generally it's money, they've ransacked the offices of these businesses," Ayers explained.
In Patella's case, the thief made off with no more than $100, and while he was aware of the recent series of break-ins and thefts, he was still caught off guard.
"It is quite surprising. It's not something you’re prepared for, but you just kind of deal with it and move on," he said.
Police did not say whether all of these crimes are related, nor have any suspects been identified.
The incidents remain under investigation.