A News 12 investigation is uncovering a rash of vandalism that is targeting car shops in the city of Newburgh.

Some of the crimes are seen on surveillance videos and were given exclusively to News 12.

“We are struggling here. They’ve been slashing tires. We just had six cars vandalized with windows smashed,” says Lori Grieco, who works at one of the businesses.

Auto shop owners are coming forward exclusively to News 12 about the crimes in the hope that police can crack down on the incidents. The businesses say they are being carried out by vandals who are smashing windows and breaking into parked vehicles on their lots overnight and in some instances, slashing tires.

“I have a list of about 12 businesses that have been hit really hard,” says Grieco. “One incident recently, they hit about 10 shops and smashed the windows. They climb in and steal whatever and we’re on the hook for that. It was like $500 or $600 a window. When you have six cars, that adds up."

News 12 has confirmed that at least three of the businesses hit are within blocks of each other on South Robinson Avenue and Mill Street.

The owners each asked to keep their shops anonymous.

“It’s gotten worse over the last few years. Really bad,” Grieco says. “You make $3, and you have to put out $5 or $10.”

One business owner says they’ve had to hire security at night to patrol their fenced-in lot. Each business tells News 12 they notify the police of each occurrence but are reluctant to file insurance claims to avoid their premiums increasing or their policies being cancelled. Instead, they have paid thousands of dollars out of pocket to cover the damage to their customers’ vehicles.

News 12 has reached out to City of Newburgh officials for information and is waiting to receive a response.

“The small businesses down here, we are a dying breed,” Grieco says. “We need help.”