Stonington — For more than eight years, Gene and Nancy Bessette have sold vegetables grown on their farm from a small stand in front of their property at 240 River Road in Pawcatuck.

Patrons take lettuce, cucumbers, kale, melon, squash, tomatoes, eggs other items and place payments in a locked honor box.

And while there have been occasional vandalism and thefts of cash and produce, none have compared to the spate of daytime thefts over the past week in which thieves used a saw, chisel and even a large rock to break the heavy lock and steal money.

There have also been reports from witnesses of people pulling up in vehicles, taking produce and driving off without paying.

The thefts have forced the Bessettes to install a security camera, post a warning and alert residents to the thefts on the Stonington Community Forum Facebook page this week.

Police are also investigating and stepping up patrols.

“Please if you happen to be visiting Shady Lane Farm and see unusual activity, try and get a license plate number or let us know. We will be installing security cameras, sad to say, we didn’t think in our wonderful small community, we would need to do that. Thank you in advance for your help and thank you to all of our faithful, honest supporters,” wrote Nancy Bessette in the Facebook post, which prompted 82 comments of support and outrage from residents in just one day.

At the stand early Thursday afternoon, Nancy Bessette said her husband, a retired building contractor, works very hard to raise the produce that he sells at low prices to a large group of loyal customers each summer.

“He loves doing this. He loves the dirt. He loves being outside and growing things. He says 'It’s just me and God.' He’s just a farmer who’s done this almost his whole life,” she said.

“They have no idea the work he puts into this,” she added about the thieves.

Bessette said some of her customers have questioned those who take items without paying.

One nonpaying woman responded by saying, “They don’t need it. They have plenty,” Bessette said.

There are clearly marked prices on the items and instructions for depositing cash and checks.

Until now, she said, she and her husband had resisted the idea of installing a security camera to record what happens from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. when the stand is open.

Now a small sign on the wagon that holds the produce features the word "SMILE" with a yellow smiley face below.

“You are being recorded. A very discreet security camera is recording you. These vegetables are NOT free nor do we appreciate you breaking into our money box and STEALING our hard earned money. To our faithful, honest customers THANK YOU for your continued support! Gene and Nancy,” the sign reads.

Customers who pulled up to the stand Thursday were surprised to learn about the thefts.

“That’s just so sad,” said Judy Bonk of Misquamicut.

“Gene and I are overwhelmed by the community support and people saying they will keep an eye out for us,” Nancy Bessette said.

j.wojtas@theday.com