SOUTH PORTLAND — Eight commercial businesses were burglarized in the Maine Mall area in the early morning on March 25, according to police.

In all instances, business doors were pried open with a crowbar or similar type tool, and cash was taken from cash registers, according to a Police Department press release Wednesday. 

Detectives have been reviewing surveillance footage from several different businesses in the area, and have a common suspect in all of the burglaries. The suspect is not believed to be connected to a rash of armed robberies in greater Portland over the past two weeks, police said.

Police said the burglar parked his vehicle in a parking lot on Western Avenue at approximately 10:30 p.m. on March 24, and did not return to it until approximately 4:30 a.m. March 25.

The burglaries were discovered when employees arrived for work Sunday morning to open for the day. The businesses are mostly along Gorham Road and Maine Mall Road. Police are not releasing the names of the businesses, since the owners are repairing damage and security systems. 

The suspect is described as a heavy-set white man, with dark-rimmed glasses. He was dressed in all dark clothing, including gloves. His vehicle appears to be a Nissan or Toyota-type four-door sedan. 

Police speculated he may not be from the area, since he made no real attempt to disguise his face.

Contact Detective Scott Corbett at 799-5511, ext. 7449, or the anonymous tip line at 347-4100, with relevant information.

A still shot of a suspect believed to be involved in eight commercial business break-ins in the Maine Mall area last weekend. South Portland police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the man.

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