Men Used Key To Open Locked Cases In Robberies At Manhattan Duane Reade Stores, Cops Say

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for two men wanted in a series of robberies at New York City Duane Reade stores.

The first incident took place on May 1, at 8 a.m. when the suspects opened a locked display case in the Duane Reade at 4 Amsterdam Ave on the Upper West Side. Suspects used a key to open the case and made off with toothpaste and over-the-counter medication.

Less than an hour later they entered a Duane Reade at 380 Amsterdam Ave, used a key to open a locked display case, and left with 19 boxes of Rogaine.

In at least seven later robberies the suspects followed a similar pattern -- entering Duane Reade stores around Manhattan, using a key to open a locked display case, and making off with products including Crest whitening strips, over-the-counter medications, Rogaine, razors, and razor blades.

Following a robbery at an East 2nd Street Duane Reade on Saturday, August 13, the men fled in a tan colored van.

The suspects have been described as black males between the ages of 25 and 35. One suspect was between 6'0" and 6'5" with a slim build, cornrows, and wearing a dark sweater and a dark baseball cap. The other suspect was 5'9" with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a white and blue plaid shirt, and a dark colored baseball cap.

Anyone with information regarding this incident has been asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.