By Patrick Hedlund
DNAinfo News Editor
PETER COOPER VILLAGE — Police are hunting for a man wanted in connection with a string of armed robberies in which the suspect targets women inside their apartment buildings and threatens them with a knife or an ice pick, the NYPD said.
The suspect, who most recently robbed a 63-year-old woman in Peter Cooper Village after three similar attacks in the Bronx, follows his victims into their buildings or elevators and uses a knife or ice pick to demand money and jewelry, police said.
The robbery at Peter Cooper Village occurred about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 22 at 2 Cooper Rd., near First Avenue and East 22nd Street, with the suspect making off with an undisclosed amount of cash from his victim, police said.
The suspect struck first on Nov. 10 in the Bronx, robbing a woman of cash and a cell phone a little after midnight, police said.
The next two incidents occurred within minutes of each other on Nov. 14 in the Bronx, with the suspect striking about 1:30 p.m. and stealing jewelry, shopping bags and money from a pair of female victims, police said.
The suspect is described as a male in his 40s, 6 feet tall and weighing 250 pounds, with a close-cut beard and was wearing a green jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), and then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
