Police: Serial Robber Has Been Targeting East Village, Gramercy Park Businesses

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police were on the hunt Tuesday for a serial robber who allegedly held up six East Village and Gramercy Park businesses – one of them twice.

In the incidents over the past week, the suspect has either displayed a knife or simulated a gun and demanded money, police said. He has taken cash from the registers each time and run off.

The robberies happened at the following times and locations:

• Around 3:25 a.m. Thursday at One's Fruit and Grocery, 315 First Ave. The suspect took $400;

• Around 10:20 p.m. Saturday, again at One's Fruit and Grocery. The suspect took $950;

• At 2:16 p.m. Sunday at I.Q. Décor, 242 E. 14th St. The suspect took $366;

• Around 3 a.m. Monday at I Green Market, 271 First Ave. The suspect took $600;

• Around 5:05 p.m. Monday at 66 Avenue A. The suspect took $200;

• Around 9:05 p.m. Monday at New Up and Up Laundry, 13 Avenue A. The suspect took $250;

• Around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday at East Village Fruit and Vegetable, 229 Avenue B. The suspect got nothing.

Police have released a surveillance photo and video from the most recent incident.

Anyone with information was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.