NEWARK (WABC) -- Police are searching for a suspect who was caught on camera robbing a cell phone store in Newark, and they are investigating if it is the same man responsible for a string of similar robberies.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday, at a Metro PCS Store on Central Avenue. Surveillance video shows the suspect in a physical altercation with a customer who tried to stop him.
This is the second time the Central Avenue store was robbed after also being hit on March 9.
The customer who fought off the suspect tells Eyewitness News that he's the type of person who doesn't put up with nonsense, so he knew as soon as the guy walked into the store and put on a mask that there was going to be a problem he needed to take care of.
"He picked the wrong place that time," Good Samaritan Sean Dixon said.
Dixon was only planning to pay his bill before the suspect entered, claimed he had a gun and demanded money and phones, but Dixon wasn't buying it.
"I just saw you up the street a minute ago, I said, you ain't got no gun," Dixon said. "You got to show me a gun if you going to come in and rob us. I said I ain't falling for that."
The suspect then pushed Dixon, sparking an all-out brawl on the floor, with the 50-year-old Dixon holding his own. After they fell into the counter and knocked it over, the suspect grabbed some cash and fled.
The clerk says the robber made off with less than $100, and police believe he is the same man responsible for the other incidents.
Another location was struck on Bloomfield Avenue on March 19, as well as on January 18 and January 6. A Mount Prospect Avenue store was hit on January 19, and police believe the same person is behind a robbery that occurred at the Roseville Avenue Liquor store.
In each of the previous incidents, authorities say the suspect walks into the store, sometimes brandishing a handgun, and demands that the clerks give him cash and all of the iPhones and Galaxy cell phones.
He warns them to hurry up and put the money and phones in a black duffle bag or he would shoot them. And after the clerks complied, he threatens to shoot them if they follow him.
The serial suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 6-foot-4 and may only speak Spanish. It is not clear if the suspect in the most recent incident also fits that description.
Anyone having information regarding the actor is urged where to contact CrimeStoppers at 877-NWK-TIPS (877-695-8477) or 877-NWK-GUNS (877-695-4867).
All calls are kept strictly confidential.