Escalon Police are continuing their investigation into a rash of burglaries and a potential arson fire in the downtown area early Monday.

Officers were called to the 1700 block of Main Street shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8 to a report of a person hearing a window being smashed at a business. When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered a boutique had been broken into, with a variety of merchandise taken.

Authorities said an estimated $4,000 worth of goods were taken from the store, while a flower shop nearby also had some items damaged.

A third location, an auto repair and smog shop in the 1900 block of Main, was also broken into. There, police said, it appeared that the perpetrator had also attempted to set a file cabinet on fire.

That widens the scope to a burglary and attempted arson investigation, and police are asking for anyone that may have heard or seen anything suspicious in the area early Monday to contact them. The police department can be reached at 838-7093 or offer the information anonymously to the CrimeStoppers tip line at 866-602-7463.

Police said patrons at the Valley Inn reported hearing the windows being smashed, with the La Boucherie salon and The Flower Pot both victimized, along with All City Automotive.