EAST WILLIAMSBURG — An ex-convict who spent time behind bars for robbery was arrested for two more stickups within 10 days of each other, authorities said.
Williamsburg resident Jesus Vasquez, 53, was arrested two days after hitting a Dunkin Donuts at 809 Grand St. on Feb. 19, police said.
After ordering and paying for two donuts at around 7 p.m., Vasquez leapt across the counter wielding a knife, according to police and prosecutors.
The terrified cashier backed away in fear, and the robber snatched $253 cash from the open register, according to police and the chain's manager.
"He just jumped onto the register, [flashing] a big knife," said manager Nakib Kabir. "My cashier, she was just scared...she was shouting."
When Vasquez was arrested two days later, prosecutors charged him with two other incidents that took place on Feb. 9, according to court records.
Surveillance footage captured Vasquez snatching a Nike Shoe box from the hallway of a Leonard Street apartment building around noon, prosecutors said.
Then later that day, Vasquez robbed and attacked a resident on his way to his apartment inside the building, according to prosecutors.
While wielding a silver air gun, Vasquez demanded cash from the resident, then he bashed him several times across the head, leaving the victim with a bloody nose, a gash on his head and abrasions on his eye, prosecutors said.
Vasquez has a lengthy rap sheet, with 32 prior arrests dating back to 1980 and twice spent time behind bars for robbery charges and criminal possession of stolen property, according to state corrections records and police.
Vasquez's Legal Aid attorney Susan Morris declined to comment on the case before her client's Thursday hearing.
He's being held at Rikers Island and a judge set bail at $75,000, according to court and correctional records.
Dunkin Donut manager Kabir said businesses along Grand Street often fall victim to robberies and the latest incident didn't surprise him.
Chase Bank across the street from Dunkin Donuts was robbed in December and a few blocks west a store clerk at Save on Grand was attacked by a man trying to steal soap.
The donut shop always schedules two employees working at once for safety, though at the time of the Feb. 17 robbery, the second employee was in the stock room downstairs, he said.
"It's a natural phenomenon in this neighborhood," he said.
