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Knife-Wielding Man Wanted In Bronx Cellphone Store Robberies Strikes Again, Slashed Worker, NYPD Says

bronx cell phone store robbery
(credit: NYPD)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The knife-wielding man caught on camera allegedly robbing cellphone stores in The Bronx this summer has struck again, police said.

The man has robbed at least 10 cellphone stores, getting away with more than $15,000 since July, according to the NYPD.

The latest incident happened Saturday at a Boost Mobile store on East Tremont Avenue. Police said the man entered the store with two large knives and demanded money. He allegedly forced the store's employee into the bathroom, stole from the cash register, and then fled the scene.

"He thinks he's smart, but there's cameras everywhere," Soundview resident Veronica Aviles told CBS2's Dave Carlin.

"I never would think somebody would do something like that," a clerk at the store added.

Surveillance videos first reported by CBS2 back on Sept. 5 show the suspect held a knife in each hand and threatened a store employee before raiding the cash register.

knife suspect cell phone store robberies bronx
(credit: CBS2)

MORE: Suspect Armed With Knives Caught On Camera Robbing Bronx Cellphone Stores, NYPD Says

The NYPD believes the man is responsible for incidents at the following locations:

  • Sept. 26 -- Boost Mobile on East Tremont Avenue
  • Sept. 18 -- Boost Mobile on White Plains Road
  • Sept. 18 -- 3932 White Plains Road
  • Sept. 12 -- Metro PCS on Southern Boulevard
  • Sept. 4 -- Metro PCS on White Plains Road
  • Aug. 31 -- Boost Mobile on Southern Boulevard
  • Aug. 21 -- Metro PCS on East 187th Street
  • Aug. 14 -- Boost Mobile on Westchester Avenue
  • Aug. 10 -- 615 East Tremont Avenue
  • July 23 -- Boost Mobile on East 187th Street

Another worker, who asked CBS2 not show her face, described to Carlin the traumatizing moments seen on surveillance video from the afternoon of Aug. 21 at her store on East 187th Street.

She said like the other incidents, the man had a knife in each hand.

"They were really close when he held them to my stomach. I said, OK, he's crazy. It's broad daylight, do whatever he says," the clerk said.

There was a similar account from another worker, whose identity CBS2 protected at his request. His store on White Plains Road was robbed on Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.

On surveillance video the worker is seen backing up into a corner.

"I was shaking. My legs was shaking," the clerk said.

Only one injury was reported in the series of alleged robberies. Police said an employee at Boost Mobile on Westchester Avenue was treated for a slash wound after refusing to give the suspect money on Aug. 14.

bronx cell phone stores robbery suspect
(credit: CBS2)

He's back on the job, but at a different store.

After the worker was injured in the store his coworkers said new staffing policy went into place.

"Because of that incident that happened before it was working alone like that but now there are usually two here," a worker said.

Investigators and neighbors said they are glad the many suspect images include several with his mask off his face, hoping it increases the odds of getting him off the streets.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.

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