ROCHELLE – Rochelle police are investigating reports of two local businesses broken into early Tuesday morning. There are currently no suspects, but the incident remains under investigation.

At approximately 2:33 a.m., Rochelle Tobacco N Liquor, located in the Rochelle Commons, was broken into. At approximately 2:39 a.m., Shell Gas Station, located on Lake Lida Lane, was also broken into. Burglars gained access to both of the businesses by smashing the glass front doors.

Alcohol, cash and cigarettes were stolen from Rochelle Tobacco N Liquor and currently, only cigarettes are known to have been stolen from Shell. But the police expect more items could be reported when more information is known. Similar burglaries occurred in other surrounding areas on the same night, leading Rochelle police to believe they are all related.

“Sterling, Dixon and Sugar Grove had the same thing happen to some of their businesses last night as well, so we think that they are all by the same individuals,” Rochelle Police Chief Eric Higby said. “It looks like they probably went to towns along Interstate 88.”

After a few days of investigation, no more suspect information is known at the time but it has come to light that upwards of 30 communities have had similar incidents. It is still unknown if all of some of the recently discovered incidents are connected.