Police are investigating a series of break-ins in Port Macquarie during the early hours of Monday morning.
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Businesses on Hastings River Drive and in the Kmart precinct were targeted during the spree.
The thieves stole at least three days' takings at one of the businesses, while cash floats, a laptop and a phone were also stolen from the remaining premises.
There was extensive damage to several of the businesses.
Oh Crab Fresh Seafoods' Raf Mikhail said he was devastated by the break-in at his business.
"You work hard, you put a lot of effort into your business and you just want to do the best you can, and then these people come in and destroy everything," he said.
"The cash is one thing, but they also pushed scales, cupboards and cash registers onto the floor and then went to the freezer sections, looking for more cash.
"They took the floats (cash) from the tills. But it is just ridiculous that they would destroy everything else."
Mr Mikhail said he was first alerted to the break-in early on Monday morning. He spent the day cleaning up the mess.
He said thousands of dollars in stock was not damaged during the break-in.
"I don't feel safe now," he added.
Zambrero co-owner Dan McAuliffe said thieves stole a business phone and laptop and a small sum of money from the till during the break-in.
"We've only been open for six weeks," he said.
"The thieves opened all the cupboards, apparently looking for more cash.
The thieves opened all the cupboards, apparently looking for more cash.
- Dan McAuliffe
"We have CCTV of the incident and will be checking that."
Mercury Cafe owner Glen Parker said the thieves also targeted cash from his business.
“We were barely touched,” he said.
"I suspect the thieves started down the other end of the complex but because we are pretty visible they just grabbed the float out of the till and ran.
"It (must have been) a lightning raid.
"They were certainly after cash, but businesses don't leave cash on premises these days.
"Some of the other businesses had damage to the front doors and got smashed up a bit, from what I understand."
Staff at Country Nails confirmed there was a break-in at the business. There was extensive damage to the front door of the premises.
Another business targeted, Cafe Churo Fondue, was closed on Tuesday and did not return calls.
Inspector Mick Aldridge confirmed that the spate of break-ins extended to premises on Hastings River Drive.
"There were break-ins at the Marina Shopping Complex while Aquamail on Hastings River Drive also reported a break-in," he said.
"Another neighbouring business, Cascade Pools reported an attempted break-in around the same time."
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or www.nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
