Police: Knife-Wielding Suspect Wanted In More Than 20 Robberies Strikes Again In Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police say a man accused in more than 20 robberies across Long Island and Queens has struck again.
According to police, a Subway restaurant in Forest Hills was the suspect's latest target. The suspect allegedly held an employee at knife point on Friday night, demanding money from the register before making off with more than $300.
The employee said nothing went through his mind when the man in the hoodie wielding a kitchen knife walked into the shop.
"Just give the cash and walk away," he told 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria.
Police say this is the 22nd time the suspect has pulled off a robbery, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported.
The suspect has been repeatedly caught on surveillance video since the stick-up spree began. According to police, the suspect typically strikes when there are no customers on the premises and will typically wait nearby the targeted location before robbing the store.
Dunkin' Donuts employee M.D. Kabir was held up at knife point in Flushing in May.
"He took all the money and left in one minute, he was very quick," Kabir said.
In Queens, police said he also stole $500 at a Carvel on Metropolitan Avenue near Forest Hills, $600 from a Dunkin' Donuts near Flushing Hospital, more than $700 from a Howard Beach Dunkin' Donuts on Cross Bay Boulevard.
In May, a Dunkin' Donuts on Powells Lane in Elmont was targeted, with the suspect flashing a large kitchen knife at a clerk before leaving the store with cash.
Other incidents include an April robbery of a Dunkin' Donuts in Massapequa Park and the robbery of a 7-Eleven store in Old Bethpage in March, police said.
In one incident in New Hyde Park, the suspect walked by a "wanted" poster of himself before entering a Subway restaurant location and robbing the store, police told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.
In total, police have connected the suspect to 17 robberies on Long Island and five in Queens.
"He comes off a highway and does basically the first fast food restaurant that he sees," NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.
Police in three counties are now searching for the serial offender and have stepped up patrols near target areas with hopes of catching him.
No injuries were reported in any of the robberies.
The suspect is described as a black man, about 5 feet 9 inches tall with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and black boots.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
