Bedford Park Residents Remain Worried With Robbery Spree Suspect Still At Large

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A brazen robber in the Bronx has hit seven times in the last three weeks, attacking women and stealing whatever they're carrying, police said.

The bandit, dressed in a baseball cap and dark shirt, was seen on surveillance video going into an apartment building on Bainbridge Avenue after apparently following a female resident, CBS 2's John Slattery reported.

He knocked on the the door before the victim opened it. The suspect then followed her into the lobby, where he robbed her as she tried to enter the elevator. He then left with the victim attempting to pursue him, police said.

The robber got only a phone.

"All I heard was her screaming. I looked up and she was pushing him and he ran," building superintendent Tom Gardella said.

Police said the robber has struck seven times at nearby locations in the last three weeks.

All of the incidents, police said, took place in the Bedford Park section of the borough and twice occurred with an accomplice. Cell phones and handbags have been stolen in the robberies.

The female victims, ranging in age from 16 to 52, were all grabbed from behind before being robbed, police said. Neighbors said residents must think twice about who they let into their building.

"If I see a woman with kids trying to get in the door, I'll let her in. It depends," resident Mimi Medina said.

Police said the suspect is 20 to 25 years old, 5-foot-10 to 6-2 and 130 to 160 pounds.

Most of the robberies took place during the late afternoon or evening when the victims were walking home from work, police said.

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