Cary hit with string of early morning break-ins impacting at least 4 businesses along Cary Parkway

Police are investigating a series of early morning break-ins that hit at least four businesses in Cary on Sunday.

The string of break-ins impacted multiple businesses down Cary Parkway.

There was a report of a smash-and-grab break-in at the Chinese #1 Restaurant in the 3600 block of Cary Parkway around 5:52 a.m. The front door was damaged, but no cash was taken from the register. The owners estimate the cost of repairs will be about $1,500.

"My heart just dropped," said Chinese #1 owner Fanny Lin.

A second location was impacted in the same shopping center at SweeTea Boba. The door was smashed, and police said the thieves did take the register from that place. SweeTea Boba said they would operate with card only purchases and will be doing so going forward.

Linn said Chinese #1 doesn't operate with a register due to the risk of break-ins.

A Subway shop on the 2400 block of Cary Parkway was hit in a plaza on the corner of Old Apex Road. Similar to Chinese #1, this was a smash-and-grab. The front door was damaged, and cash was taken from the register.

The final location hit was Bliss gas station at the corner of Cary Parkway and Lake Pine Drive, very close to the Kildaire Farms neighborhood. The front door was damaged and cash was taken. A large police presence could be seen at this location.

One SweeTea customer, Aaron Lunsford, heard about the break-ins on WRAL and stopped by the business to see if everyone was okay.

"[We] wanted to make sure everyone was okay [and] see what was going on, and buy something while we were here [to] support the business," Lunsford said.

Police believe the break-ins are all connected.

Lunsford, a Cary resident for 15 years, said he's noticed the uptick in break-ins.

"We've seen crime on the rise a little bit," Lunsford explained. "That's a little concerning, so [I] hope it gets a little better, but it's not going to stop us from going out and doing stuff."