Masked, knife-wielding serial robber strikes in Lynbrook

Nassau County police are searching for a man who stole money from an ice cream shop in Lynbrook on Saturday at 9:10 p.m., and believe the suspect is the same person who has attempted 14 robberies on Long Island since February.

According to the Nassau County Police Department, an unidentified man entered TCBY on 653 Sunrise Hwy., armed with a knife. The man demanded that a 19-year-old female employee give him money from the register. After taking the money, the suspect was last seen leaving the store on foot and heading toward Broadway.

Two employees were at the TCBY during the time of the robbery, but no injuries were reported and no customers were present.

The suspect is described as being between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7 and having an average build. He was wearing a dark hat with a brim, a dark jacket, blue jeans, a dark scarf covering his face and gloves.

Police said a man fitting the same description as the Lynbrook suspect attempted to rob a Subway sandwich shop in North Merrick earlier that night. At 7:09 p.m. last Saturday, the suspect went into the Subway located at 1341 Jerusalem Ave. and displayed a large kitchen knife. He demanded cash from a 55-year-old male employee, who pressed the panic alarm. The suspect then ran off without the money.

According to police, the masked, knife-wielding robber fits the description of someone who has attempted to rob 14 stores since Feb. 13. He has a penchant for hitting ice cream parlors and sandwich shops and demanding cash.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.