"Snowfall" star Damson Idris' home was subject to a burglary earlier this month ... but we're told the damage the thieves caused in the home outweighed what they got away with in goods.
Law enforcement tells TMZ ... the alleged thieves broke into Damson's L.A.-area house July 3, smashing a glass door to get inside.
We're told they eventually left with Damson's small safe, but the joke's on them -- because our sources say it only held about $500 worth of stuff ... though it's not totally clear what was inside.
What's more, we're told the suspects did more damage breaking in and stealing the safe than what they took home -- telling us it's about a $2K bill to fix what was busted.
LAPD is investigating the incident -- we're told cops will be reviewing the security cameras in the house and will be checking out neighbors' videos too. So far, no arrests have been made.
If these alleged perps are gonna have to pay back Damson for repairs, they'll have to steal a lot more safes.