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NYPD: Man Enters Building Through Fire Escape, Steals Thousands In Meds, Electronics

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD is searching for a suspect in connection to a set of apartment burglaries on the Upper East Side.

On Monday morning, the suspect used a rear fire escape to enter a building on East 81st Street between East End and York avenues. Once inside, the man stole $1,765 in electronics, jewelry, clothing and personal documents, according to police.

An hour later, the suspect entered the adjoining building to the complex, again using a rear fire escape, where he stole two laptop computers and prescription medication -- valued at a total of $2,500, according to police.

The suspect then fled west toward York Avenue on foot. Both robberies occurred between 7:45 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Monday, according to police.

Many residents are on edge.

"I do feel really safe in this neighborhood, so to hear that something like that happened is really terrifying and I hope that it doesn't happen again," resident Lia Sanfelippo told CBS2.

"I feel a little bit nervous, I thought the Upper east Side was super safe, but definitely taking extra precautions," resident Alissa Komensky said.

Video surveillance released by the NYPD shows the suspect as wearing a black sweatshirt or jacket, camouflage pants and white sneakers. He we was carrying a green duffel bag and a black backpack.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.

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