SEASIDE, Ore. -- A string of break-ins and burglaries led police to issue a crime alert Thursday on the Oregon Coast.

Police agencies from Seaside, Gearhart, Warrenton and Astoria are all investigating a string of similar break-ins, mostly at area businesses, that date back to early September. They have arrested one man, John Owen, who is accused in several of the burglaries, but some of the crimes remain unsolved.

"That's something that normally doesn't happen. You know, it's a small town," said Teresa Lincoln, a business owner. "People know each other."

Most of the burglaries have occurred late at night. The burglars have hit store-front businesses and two churches in Seaside.

In all of the cases, investigators said, money and electronics were stolen.

Business owners said the weak economy over the summertime has made every dollar more precious.

"I think it's pretty startling," Lincoln said. "It's a bad time of year. Holidays are coming up."

Police credited surveillance with helping solve some of the crimes. They said the crime alert will remain in effect until the crime rate drops.