[06/06/01] Cash was apparently the target for opportunistic burglars who broke into 11 businesses Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Sgt. Beverly Prentiss of the Vicksburg Police Department said an exact time for the string of break-ins on South Frontage and Halls Ferry roads was still not available.

“They overlooked cell phones and other items of value and just concentrated on the petty cash that was in the businesses,” Prentiss said.

An amount of money taken from the businesses was not disclosed.

Police initially thought nine businesses had been targeted but received reports on two additional burglaries.

Also, a power outage Monday night was originally suspected to have played a part in the thefts, but now police are not sure the two are connected, Prentiss said.

Entergy spokesman Charles Bryant said power in the area of the burglaries went out at 10:30 Monday night and was back on in one hour.

The first break-in was reported at 5:34 Tuesday morning by an employee at Fabra Care Cleaners on Halls Ferry Road, Prentiss said.

China Doll restaurant, 3425 Halls Ferry Road, was also burglarized.

Three businesses were hit in Dixie Plaza shopping center, including The Print Shop, Tan-Tastic Tanning Salon, both at 1808 S. Frontage, and El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant, 1820 S. Frontage.

About a mile down the road, Hice Medical Uniforms Outlet, Initially Yours Monograms and Designs, The Stork’s Nest, Stitch-N-Frame and Gina’s Hair Effects, all at 2222 S. Frontage Road, were all entered and ransacked.

Also burglarized was Ponderosa Steakhouse at 2640 South Frontage Road.

Entry was gained to each business after glass in the front door was broken out.

Police said they have no suspects.