Police search for serial robber in Clearwater

CLEARWATER (FOX 13) - Clearwater Police are on the search for a man they say robbed, or tried to rob, four different businesses in 24 hours. During one of the hits, he pointed a gun right at a cashier. Investigators want to make sure he doesn't strike again.

The marathon of misconduct started Monday at 3:19 a.m. Police say he entered the Speedway on Drew Street, implied he had a weapon, grabbed some cash and took off. 

At 10:49 a.m., police say he attempted to rob the JK Food Store on Belleair Road but went away empty-handed. 15 minutes later, they say he drove to RS Market, Deli and Pizzeria on S.R. 590.

"He pulled up around the side of our building in here," said employee Jessica Colon. "He came in, had his hoodie drawn like this, all you saw was his nose and his mouth. He came through this aisle right here."

This time around, the man got more aggressive.

"He was like, 'open the register, open the register.' My boss, she actually kind of freaked out and stood back," Colon said. "So, he came around the corner here and held the gun up to her. She opened the register, he took it, he did a jump over that counter right there, and he was out."

Another employee chased after him with a kitchen knife, slashing the front tire of his light blue or gray-colored early 2000 Nissan Sentra.

But even a flat wasn't enough of a deterrent because police say Tuesday morning, he made a 7-Eleven on Drew Street his 4th target, getting away with a handful of cash.

So far, police have no leads on a suspect. But lucky streaks of crime can only last so long.

"Yeah, he's got some nerve," Colon said. "He must have really needed it, I guess. I don't know what to say about it."

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 25 to 30 years old, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and 150 pounds. The suspect has a mustache and pale complexion.  The suspect was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, jeans and gray gardening gloves with black rubber material covering the palms and fingers.

Anyone with information on either case should call Clearwater Police at 727-562-4242 or email tips@myclearwater.com. In addition, the TIP411 system can be used by texting a tip and the keyword CWPD to 847411 or by calling Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County at 1-800-873-TIPS.