GRESHAM, Ore. -- The sign at A-1 Automotive Repair Shop says it all: shop closed due to theft.

The Gresham shop, located at 182nd Avenue and Halsey Street, shut down after thieves broke in and stole $53,000 worth of tools from the garage two weeks ago.

The owner of the repair shop declined an on-camera interview, but he said the theft forced him to shut down his business. He's now looking for a job.

Wade Stufflebean, who runs a car wash business nearby, said he's not surprised by the theft. He said the shop's security system isn't enough to battle crime in the area.

"The doors weren't alarmed, the windows weren't alarmed and any business knows -- you've got to be alarmed," Stufflebean said.

Laura Buck, who works next door to the shop, said she was targeted three weeks ago.

"It takes a lot out of the business because they take everything. When they break in, they steal money," Buck said. "They take your possessions and it's hard to retrieve it."

Buck said local business owners sympathize with the man who runs the auto repair shop.

"If this keeps happening to us, we're going to have to close down with the economy the way it is nowadays," Buck said.

Because there are no security cameras on the premises, the owner said he doesn't have a description of the thief. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Gresham police.