West Tisbury police are investigating a pair of burglaries early Tuesday morning at Alley’s General Store and Garcia’s Deli next door in which thieves broke into the buildings and stole a large amount of cash. The thieves stole only large denominations, leaving behind all of the $1 bills.

West Tisbury police Sgt. Dan Rossi said the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made. Police believe the two burglaries were committed by the same person or persons.

Police have recovered a partial fingerprint from Alley’s, and are currently interviewing people who may have knowledge of the burglaries. The thieves may have entered Alley’s through a back door; employees arriving for work Tuesday morning found a broken screen door and lock.

Police also found an open window on the side of the store.

The burglars may have chipped away at a door frame at Garcia’s and then picked a lock to gain access to the store, police said.

Owner Paul Garcia said there was evidence the thieves were familiar with the operation: “We don’t leave our cash in the register a night, we hide it in the store. And they knew where to look.”

Sergeant Rossi said a digital timekeeper on the cash register at Alley’s indicated the theft may have occurred around 3:12 a.m.

Approximately $700 was stolen from Garcia’s and $400 from Alley’s, the sergeant said. He called it strange that the $1 bills were left behind.

“Apparently they didn’t want the small bills,” he said.

Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to contact the West Tisbury police at 508-693-0020.