Police Step Up Patrols In Search For LI Armed Robbery Spree Suspect
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Nassau County police are rolling out new efforts to catch a suspect in connection to at least 14 robbery cases targeting retail stores on Long Island.
As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, police on Long Island are going undercover as shoppers and increasing visible patrols on foot and through the use of security surveillance devices.
"All of our patrol cars, BSO, CIRT, which is our criminal intelligence rapid response team -- they are all out there," Detective Lt. Richard LeBrun said.
The serial robber first struck on Aug. 20, according to police. There have been 14 robberies total, with six incidents in Suffolk County and eight in Nassau.
LeBrun said the robber has made off with at least $13,000, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
The most recent robbery believed to be connected to the spree happened at a Babies R Us in Westbury om Monday morning. The suspect followed an employee into the store and flashed a handgun before tying up two female workers. Another employee was asked to open a safe for the suspect, who took an undetermined amount of cash, handcuffed the worker and then fled.
On Dec. 4, an armed gunman entered Beach Bum Tanning on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station and demanded two female employees to go to the back of the store, where they were then tied up, cops said. The suspect then took the money out of the register and fled the scene, according to police.
Last month, a masked man walked into a Pier 1 Imports in Huntington Station, pulled out a gun and forced employees and customers to the back of the store, police said. He then restrained the victims, forced an employee to open the safe and took cash from the registers and valuables from customers before taking off, according to investigators.
Police believe the same man is also responsible for robberies at Destination Maternity in Carle Place, a Rainbow store in Lindenhurst,New York & Company in West Babylon, a Petco in Hicksville and Avenue Clothing stores in both East Farmingdale and Deer Park, among others.
In some cases, the suspect has destroyed surveillance cameras before leaving the scene, police said.
Nassau County Police Detective Lt. John Rowan said police are unclear where and how the victim left the scene because the victims were usually tied in the back of the store and could not provide tips.
The majority of the shops targeted cater to women, and have mostly female employees, cops said. No one has been injured in these incidents.
Police are now asking shoppers to call in any possible tips and are advising retail workers to be careful, especially when working opening or closing shifts.
