Police seek serial robber targeting NW, SW side businesses

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One man is responsible for at least eight break-ins at businesses across Chicago since July 28. He usually strikes during the daytime and gets away with cash, police said.

The suspect's weapon of choice is a knife. Surveillance video from a flower shop in the city's Bucktown neighborhood shows he used it during the Aug. 14 robbery.

Mirna Flores was working at Linda's Flower Shop in the 2400-block of West Armitage Avenue when the suspect walked in and demanded cash.

"He said he wouldn't hurt me if I gave him all the money from the register. I was just following his orders. He told me to sit down on the floor and face the wall while he was getting all the money," Flores said.

The armed robber also targeted Isabella's Bridal and a clothing store nearby. Here's a list of all eight incidents:

-5:16 p.m. July 28 in the 4700 block of West Fullerton Avenue

-12:20 p.m. Aug. 3 in the 4300 block of South Archer Avenue

-5:30 p.m. Aug. 4 in the 4600 block of North Western Avenue

-12:41 p.m. Aug. 7 in the 3500 block of West 26th Street

-10:56 a.m. Aug. 14 in the 2400 block of West Armitage Avenue

-11:10 a.m. Aug. 17 in the 2700 block of West Cermak Road

-9:25 a.m. Aug. 18 in the 1500 block of North Western Avenue

-1:05 p.m. Aug. 18 in the 6600 block of South Pulaski Avenue

"It's scary - just the fact when we are here working alone. Now I don't trust as many customers as I should," Flores said.

No one was injured in any of the robberies, police said.

The suspect was described as a 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-1, 160- to 220-pound white, Hispanic man between 20 and 37 years old, police said. He had black hair and brown eyes with a physical impairment on the left eye. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

Anyone with information on the robberies should contact Area Central detectives at (312) 747-8382 or Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.