Four cars suffered damage during the course of a break-in at South Main Auto Services, in crimes that mirror other business burglaries on the city’s east side, according to Mower County Chief Deputy Mark May.

May said owner Ed Wells reported the burglary 8 a.m. Friday, saying that suspects had likely entered the 109 Main St. S. store through a front window smashed by a brick.

Four unlocked cars, three belonging to customers and one belonging to Wells, had steering column damage, according to May, who also said suspects had attempted and failed to open the cash register.

Wells’ Ford Ranger and one Toyota had the steering column ripped apart; two others — a Saab and a Grand Am — had damage to that area, May stated.

May said keys were also stolen, though none from customer cars, before suspects fled. The police report said that the burglaries were akin to others reported in that area, though May couldn’t pinpoint examples of similar robberies.

Austin Police Chief Paul Philipp was not available for comment.