Nassau County Police Hunt Suspect Wanted In 9 Robberies
NORTH VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The search continues for a man wanted in a string of robberies in Nassau County after police said he struck again Tuesday night in North Valley Stream.
The most recent incident happened around 9:30 p.m. at a Carvel on Dutch Broadway.
Police said the suspect waited until he was sure that an employee was alone in the store before he walked in, armed with a six-inch knife, and demanded that the employee open the register. He then fled with an unknown amount of cash, police said.
"We do have on surveillance tape the suspect lingering and he's basically lingering so that he can actually look inside and see at this point when the least amount of customers are present," Nassau County Police Lieutenant Richard Lebrun told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.
The suspect, who was seen on surveillance video in March, apparently has a sweet spot for choosing his targets, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported. Investigators said of the nine robberies they believe he's responsible for, six of them were Dunkin' Donuts.
Police said his spree started at a Dunkin' Donuts in New Hyde Park on March 1. A day later, he is accused of holding up an employee in Plainview.
Over the last seven weeks, detectives said he's also robbed stores in East Meadow and Oceanside and another in Massapequa Park on Sunday. The same man is also the suspect in similar robberies at a Subway and a 7-Eleven.
Rocky Sheikh's employee was held up at his Dunkin' Donuts in Oceanside on March 30 -- the seventh case in the string of attacks.
"Around 9:30 this guy walks in and he had a hunter's knife in his hand. He jumps over the counter, and grabbed my girl and demanded money," Sheikh said.
Sheikh said the man got away with around $1,500 in cash.
Police believe the suspect is experienced with the way Dunkin' Donuts business operations work, making the locations an easier target.
"They believe this guys knows how Dunkin' Donuts operation works," Sheikh said. "And what time is the slow time when to come in and exactly how to maneuver around, so probably that's making it an easy prey for Dunkin' Donuts."
The suspect is described by police as a black man between the ages of 25 and 30, about 6-feet-tall and 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hooded shirt, jeans, tan work boots, black gloves and dark glasses.
Residents and business owners are now on edge as they worry someone could get hurt if there's a next time.
"I want to get out of here," Jillian Brabham, a Floral Park resident, said.
Police are hoping surveillance video from the camera outside the Carvel may help provide additional clues. They're offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
Detectives ask anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
