Brooklyn authorities are on high alert as the NYPD searches for a man linked to a series of robberies targeting local businesses and individuals. According to Gothamist, over the past two months, the suspect has primarily targeted establishments with female employees, using verbal threats or displaying a knife to obtain cash from registers.
The first reported robbery occurred at a Dunkin' on Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill around 5 p.m. on October 13, where a 35-year-old woman was threatened but not harmed. Gothamist reports that the most recent incident took place on Sunday, when the suspect jumped over a counter and displayed a knife after a 22-year-old woman declined to exchange currency.
The suspect has also targeted a range of small businesses, including restaurants and cellphone stores, as well as women at ATMs. A report from News 12 Brooklyn states that he reportedly waited until workers opened their registers before taking cash. Police have asked for public assistance in locating the suspect, releasing surveillance images showing him in a black North Face jacket, approximately 6 feet tall, with a slim build.
Described by victims, the encounters sometimes involved the man showing a knife and, in some cases, pushing them to the ground. Despite the robbery spree, NYPD data indicates a decrease in overall robberies across Brooklyn this year, though these incidents have created a sense of urgency. Authorities released photos of the suspect and urged anyone with information to contact them.
Anyone with information about these robberies is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website. Authorities hope that with public cooperation, the suspect will be apprehended quickly.
