Police Seek Suspect In Connection With More Than 20 Burglaries In Queens, Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are on the hunt for a man they said is responsible for nearly two dozen commercial burglaries in Queens and the Bronx.

Authorities said in each of the 21 burglaries the suspect broke into the establishment through the roof, ventilation ducts or side/rear doors while the business was closed. They said the suspect then stole various items and cash from the registers and ATMs.

The suspect also removed the surveillance system in some cases, police said.

The burglaries took place between June and October of this year, police said.

In Queens, the suspect hit businesses on Merrick Boulevard, Crossbay Boulevard, Liberty Avenue, Steinway Street, Hollis Avenue, Bell Boulevard, Hillside Avenue, Rockaway Boulevard, Brookville Boulevard, 20th Avenue, Van Wyck Expressway, and 14th Avenue.

In the Bronx, the suspect hit businesses on Bainbridge Avenue, Prospect Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard.

The Dominican restaurant, Mar y Tierra, on Bainbridge Avenue has been robbed before, but the owner says not like this.

"We didn't figure that someone would come through the ceiling and come inside," restaurant manager Nelson Fernandez told CBS 2's Matt Kozar. "The memories and everything for all the cameras were taken off."

The thief, or thieves, disabled the restaurant's security cameras before stealing $4,000 from the ATM and $1,000 from the cash register.

Police say they are still investigating whether the suspect caught on surveillance acted alone.

"It doesn't look like it could be one person," Fernandez said.

The three most recent burglaries happened on Oct. 20. Three businesses on Bedford Park Boulevard were broken into around 7:30 p.m., police said.

Anyone with information regarding any of the burglaries or the location of the suspect is urged to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

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