MIDTOWN — Police released a photo of a suspect wanted in connection to a string of armed robberies that have targeted grocery stores, spas and other businesses in the East Village, the West Village and Murray Hill.
The suspect, described as a heavy-set man between the ages of 25 - 40 years old, allegedly entered five businesses over the past two months armed with a gun, before demanding cash and fleeing on foot, police said.
The first incident took place just after 2 a.m. on Sept. 5, when the armed suspect allegedly walked into Bleecker Farm located at 272 Bleecker St. and demanded cash. He fled with an unknown amount of money, police said.
The second instance occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Oct. 3, when the suspect allegedly held up the West Village store Charles Gourmet at 140 Charles St., police said.
The suspect allegedly struck again after 3 a.m. on Oct. 6 at the Gem Spa at 131 Second Ave. in the East Village.
On Oct. 13 the armed robber headed slightly uptown to Murray Hill where he allegedly hit the Yesol Market at 258 Lexington Ave. at about 4 a.m. About an hour later, the suspect returned to the West Village where he robbed Cho’s Grocery at 37 Bedford St., police said.
Police released several images of the suspect, in which he's seen wearing a baseball cap and brightly colored running jackets, along with khaki shorts and sneakers.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477).
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
