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Police: 'Exterminator' Suspected Of Robbing Brooklyn Apartments

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man claiming to be an exterminator is suspected of robbing five homes in the Coney Island area of Brooklyn.

In each incident, the suspect has alerted residents they need to leave the apartment because of the extermination fumes for two hours while work is being done. Police said once he is alone in the apartments the suspect steals jewelry and is gone before the residents return home.

The first of five incidents occurred on Jan. 2 and the most recent was on Feb. 28.

Police said all the robberies have taken place between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The suspect is described as a male black or hispanic between 28-35 years old, with a stocky build and a thin moustache. He wears a dark-colored uniform and carries a canister.

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call the NYPD's CRIMESTOPPERS hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS. The public can also test their tips to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All information shall be kept strictly confidential.

List of apartment buildings where robberies occurred:

1. Jan. 2: 2612 West 2nd St.

2. Feb. 14: 675 Avenue Z

3. Feb. 25: 49 Murdock Court

4. Feb. 25: 2670 Colby Court

5. Feb. 28: 2525 West 2nd St.

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