New London — In the span of about a week, police responded to at least three businesses that had their tip or donation jars stolen.

Police described the suspects as "young, black or dark-skinned Hispanic males, with their faces covered," and said they quickly entered the businesses, snatched the tip or donation jar from the counter, and then fled on foot.

The first incident police responded to occurred on Aug. 21 at the New London Convenient Store at 143 State St. Police responded to Honey Plus Convenience Store, 224 State St., on Aug. 27, and to The Cake Lady, 256 S. Frontage Road, on Aug. 29.

An employee from Drunken Palette, 259 State St., wrote in a Facebook post on Aug. 23 that "some kids" had just run into the business and stole the tip jar. On Aug. 28, the owner of Berry's Ice Cream & Candy Bar, 90 Bank St., posted a picture on her Facebook page of a "young, short male with dreads and blue shirt," and asked if anyone recognized him. She wrote that he had just stole the "staff tips" and ran down Bank Street. It's not clear if police responded to either of those incidents.

Police are recommending that all merchants empty their tip or donations jar quickly or secure them in some fashion to prevent theft. Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call New London Police Crime Prevention at (860) 440-6673.