More than a dozen auto mechanic shops in Darlington County have been hit by burglars in the past couple of weeks.
Darlington police say thieves are stealing batteries for cars, trucks, tractors, and just about anything else with four wheels.
"They're going in overnight, breaking into the businesses and taking the batteries out. Sometimes they're ruining the cars trying to get the batteries out of the cars," said Darlington Police Sgt. Kim Nelson.
She adds they're kicking in doors and jumping over fences to get inside the shops.
Sgt. Nelson says the mechanic shop owners have to pay to replace the stolen batteries.
"They are responsible for replacing these cars in the owners' vehicles once the batteries have been stolen. And, even if it's just a junk car on the lot, it still costs the business money to have those batteries replaced."
Darlington County Sheriff's Deputies are helping in the investigation.
Officers say they hope to make an arrest soon.
If you have any information on the thefts, you're asked to call Darlington Police at (843) 398-4026 or the Darlington County Sheriff's Office at (843) 398-4501.
