CLAYTON — Clayton Police Chief Bobby Madison is warning residents to be aware after burglars struck two parish businesses after closing time Thursday night.

One break-in occurred at Sharp’s Auto Shop in Clayton and another at Progressive Tractor near Wildsville. In both instances, only a small amount of money was reported missing.

Madison said for whatever reason, during the holidays, breaking and entering incidents pick up in the parish.

“During the holidays, I’m asking my residents to try to start leaving the lights on, outside and inside to lighten the place up and deter people,” Madison said. “For my business owners in Clayton, we are in the process of beefing up our security.

“They are changing a lot of things to protect themselves from burglaries around the Christmas holidays.”

Madison said at approximately 2:45 a.m., Friday, a subject broke in through a side door at Sharp’s Auto in Clayton. The subject walked around, went through the cash registers and took approximately $20 in change.

Madison, who is working with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office on the break-in, said the case is still under investigation. He said law enforcement has no suspect at this time.

At Progressive Tractor, Parts Manager Edward Carter said at least one subject broke in through a side window and it appeared went through every drawer and cabinet in the building.

Carter said the theft was minimal, as only a small amount of change was left loose in drawers.

“They looked very hard, but they did not get much,” he said.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Vernon Stevens said both incidents are under investigation and he did not have anything to report at this time.

Madison said he was investigating if these and other parish break-ins might be connected.

Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to contact the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-336-5231.