Serial robber targeting women across Manhattan: NYPD

Police are searching for an alleged serial robber who has targeted women and threatened to have a gun in five recent Manhattan robberies.

The suspect began his string of robberies on Thursday, Jan. 14, when he targeted a 27-year-old woman at her building near the corner of East 12^th Street and Third Avenue, the NYPD reported. He followed her inside the building, simulated a gun inside his coat and demanded cash before fleeing with $150.

One week later in the Gristedes supermarket at 1343 Lexington Ave., in the rear of the store, the suspect produced a firearm and demanded cash from a 22-year-old woman, police stated. She gave him $20, and the suspect ran from the store.

On Friday, Jan. 22, the suspect repeated his behavior from the first robbery by following a 30-year-old woman into her building near East 92^nd Street and Third Avenue, saying he had a gun and demanding cash, the NYPD said. He fled after being given $60 and a MetroCard.

On Thursday, Feb. 11, the perpetrator did the same thing by following a 25-year-old woman into a building at West 25^th Street and Ninth Avenue, saying he had a gun and fleeing on foot with a debit card, ID, $50 and jewelry worth $5,300.

The suspect’s most recent robbery took place this past Tuesday in a building at East 76^th Street and Second Avenue when he targeted a 71-year-old woman for a robbery. Again, he simulated having a gun and managed to take off with $280, police reported.

The NYPD stated that none of the victims were injured in the robberies. Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.NYPDcrimestoppers.com.