LI Cops: Rainbow Shops Latest Target In Armed Retail Robbery Spree
Updated Tuesday, Nov. 3 1:58 p.m.
LINDENHURST, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Rainbow Shops clothing store in Lindenhurst is the latest retail location targeted in what police believe is a string of armed robberies committed by the same suspect.
In each of the robberies, an armed suspect tied up employees and customers before taking cash and other valuables.
One customer unknowingly walked into the Wellwood Avenure store right as the crime was in progress.
"I walked into the store and I was robbed, the guy was holding us to gunpoint," the customber told CBS2's Tracee Carrasco. "There was ladies behind the counter tied up and stuff and I just walked in in the process in the ending of it."
A New York and Company in West Babylon was targeted in a similar robbery on Oct. 12. Several other locations in Babylon, Carle Place and East Meadow have also been hit, according to police.
Jasmine Blassingame was turned away from the store this afternoon, as detectives conducted their investigation.
"I'm kind of scared now," Blassingame said. "Should I go to another store and this might happen to me, or my mother or someone close to me. I just cant believe that."
Suffolk County police Chief Kevin Fallon said robbing clothing stores is unusual.
"Because women's clothing stores usually have a number of people inside, either working in the store or going in as customers," he told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "So that is a little unusual, and that's what has us a little bit worried on this is that he is going into stores where there are customers there."
The suspect is said to be 5 feet 8 to 5 feet 10 inches tall with a thin build, and typically wears a black face mask, a black hooded sweatshirt and gray sweatpants, according to police. He is armed with a black handgun.
Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-220-TIPS.
