blinking odometer and ETS light

My car was broken into about two weeks ago. Weird thing - my odometer (digital) was flashing when I drove my car to the insurance company and the dealer for body work - it had never done this before. Flashing stopped, but has re-started. Dealer is looking at it, but after re-setting the computer for the odometer, my ETS light is now on, and the odomoter continues to flash.

Two questions:

What the heck is wrong with my car - dealer is saying replacing the instrument cluster will cost around $300, which of course, I don't want to pay.

Is there any way that the flashing odometer can be related to the break in - the guy destroyed my passenger side lock. Perhaps a fuse or power surge from the power locks? - note: no other electrical problems, except this ETS light thing.

Thanks!