Three Wodonga premises were entered by thieves with attempts made on a further five on Tuesday morning, and four shops at Thurgoona Plaza were also broken into.

Police are working to identify two men caught on various security cameras in and around the businesses, and are investigating if others were involved.

Effie's Takeaway owner, Effie Baziotis, was asleep with her family when she heard a door being kicked in.

She angrily confronted the pair inside the Mayfair Drive eatery and they fled.

Police believe the duo are linked to break-ins at Hollywood's Pizza and the Federation Park General Store on Barton Street, and attempts at surrounding stores.

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Similar Thurgoona break-ins occurred at Funky Cutz, Rossco's Italian Pizzeria, Link Real Estate and the newsagency.

Ms Baziotis was slightly worried during the incident, but said she was more angry.

"It was nerve wracking but I was angry, no hard worker needs anything like this," she said.

"Thank god we were home at the time."

Many break-ins involved front doors being jammed open.

Nabil Kadri's father grabbed one of the burglars after he entered his Federation Park store and activated an alarm.

"He's OK but he's a bit shaken up," his son said.

"He (the offender) dropped some cash.

"Thank god no-one was hurt."

Thieves also caused extensive damage to the Funky Cutz hairdresser and fled with money and various items.

Staff member Poppy Nicholson said the pair "made a big mess" and forced some clients and staff to transfer to their White Box Rise hairdresser on Tuesday.

Wodonga Detective Senior Constable Ray Causer said the burglaries occurred between 4am and 5am, and caused "substantial" damage.

"The offenders have used a fair amount of force to gain entry to those businesses, they have damaged them to gain entry, and have then damaged the shops inside as they've attempted to take cash," he said.

"There have been a number of similar offences that have occurred over in NSW.

"We are looking at whether there are similarities between them."

The men came prepared with tools and Detective Senior Constable Causer said it was "troubling" but unsophisticated offending.

Police are keen to speak to people who witnessed the break-ins or any vehicles nearby.

Call (02) 6049 2600 or 1800 333 000 with information.

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