Burglars struck a Wilde Lake Village Center grocery store yesterday morning, stealing two safes that contained cash and checks, said Howard County police and the store's owner.

About 4 a.m., burglars entered Produce Galore in the 5400 block of Lynx Lane through a side door that was propped open, police said. The thieves left no signs of forced entry, and the door and nearby Dumpsters are enclosed by a fence.

Two small, floor-mounted safes were taken, police said.

The store's owner, who did not want to be identified, said the safes contained mostly checks and some cash. Police said the safes contained more than $10,000, but they could not say whether that was in cash or checks.

Pub Date: 12/09/98