Police search for suspect in series of armed robberies in Brooklyn

GRAVESEND, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The NYPD is searching for the suspect in a series of violent armed robberies targeting women in Brooklyn.

Authorities say he has beaten some of his victims and threatened others with a gun in the pattern of five robberies in the Gravesend section.

The spree started July 11, when a 20-year-old woman was severely beaten in the face as the suspect stole her cell phone at Parkway Court and Hubbard Street. That victim, Julie Sirieh, is now speaking out.

"It was really horrible; still traumatized," she said. "I still walk around looking behind my back."

Three more attacks occurred on July 16, 18 and 22, all female victims. Their bags were stolen.

"He goes, 'Give me everything you have. Give me everything you have,'" Sirieh said. "The only way to get it from me is if he knocked me out, so he punched me in the face."

The most recent attack was on West 3rd Street, where a 22-year-old female was tackled to the ground. Police say the suspect slapped her and stole her bag, containing a cell phone and $700.

"It's terrible," Sirieh said. "I consider this area to be safe, and being a woman, it's scary."

The suspect is described as being in his early 20s, 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-10, with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt with dark markings on the upper sleeve and shoulder area, sweatpants and black sneakers. He often covers his face with either a ski mask, bandanna, du-rag or towel.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).