Suspect wanted for robbing at least 11 stores on Long Island
HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (WABC) -- Suffolk County police are searching for an armed robber believed responsible for at least 11 store holdups on Long Island since August.
The most recent occurred Sunday night, when police say a masked man held up the Pier 1 Imports in Huntington Station and tied up people in the store. He got away with an unknown amount of money.
Air and K9 units are looking for the man.
"These are places where my wife and daughter shop, where your wife and daughter shop," said Det. Lt. Darrel Simmons, of the Suffolk County Police Department.
There are were reports of injuries.
The robber is described as between 5 feet 10 inches tall to 6 feet tall, with a thin to medium build. He was wearing a mask and a hooded sweatshirt. Police added that they are frustrated that they don't have a clear picture of the suspect just yet.
The following robberies have occurred in Suffolk County:
- September 7th: Avenue Clothing in East Farmingdale
- October 12th: New York and Co. in West Babylon
- October 26th: Avenue Clothing in Deer Park
- November 2nd: Rainbow Shops in North Lindenhurst
In Nassau, the suspect held up Petco in Hicksville Aug. 20, the Dollar Store in Levittown Aug. 31, Torrid in Westbury Sept. 15, Dress Barn in New Hyde Park Sept. 17, Mandee's in East Meadow Oct. 5 and Joyce Leslie in Carle Place Oct. 8. In the Petco case, he used plastic, toy handcuffs to restrain three employees.
Most were fashion businesses, and detectives are trying to figure out why he targets women's clothes stores.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
