ALBANY, Ga. (AP) -- Authorities suspect thieves smashed a stolen backhoe into a pawn shop owned by the father of "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips.

The Albany Herald reports that authorities believe thieves stole the backhoe from the Water, Gas & Light Commission, drove more than a mile and crashed through the back door and wall of the shop.

Albany Police Department spokeswoman Phyllis Banks says the incident occurred sometime between Monday 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Shop manager Les Sherwood says an alarm triggered a police call at the shop at 8:57 p.m. Monday. But Sherwood says officers inspected the building and found nothing out of order.

Sherwood says shop owner Phillip Phillips Sr. and his "Idol"-winning son were in Los Angeles. The guitar-playing Phillips Jr. won the competition last month.