Nassau County police said Tuesday that they believe three armed nail salon robberies over the last eight days are all connected.
News that the robberies are related comes one day after another nail salon was hit, this time in New Hyde Park, by a white male armed with a black handgun.
Police believe the same man is responsible for at least two previous armed robberies in Valley Stream on Dec. 23 and Dec. 27—both on Rockaway Avenue.
All three robberies have occurred on weekdays between 6 and 8 p.m., police said.
The suspect enters the business around closing time, brandishes a black handgun and states: “This is a robbery, open the register,” police said.
“Merchants should always be aware of their surroundings with emphasis during opening and closing hours,” police said in a statement, adding that businesses should call 911 if they notice any suspicious activity.
The man is believed to be between 40-60 years old, with a thin build and between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-6, police said. He also uses a mask or bandana to cover his face.
The suspect hit Tiffany’s Nail & Spa and Nail Fetish—both in Valley Stream—on Dec. 23 and Dec. 27.
Monday’s armed robbery occurred at Cleo Nails and Spa on Hillside Avenue in New Hyde Park. In that incident, the suspect was wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue scarf, black hat and black pants and was armed with a black handgun, when he entered the business and demanded cash. Two customers and one employee were inside the salon during the robbery.
Suffolk County police are also investigating two separate nail salon robberies in Islip—Nail Tek and Diamond Nails—that took place less than an hour apart on Dec. 13. In both cases, an armed robber ran out with cash, police said. The two robberies remain unsolved. Police haven’t said if they’re connected to the three in Nassau.
Police are asking anyone who can identify the suspect or has any information regarding the robberies, to call the Robbery Squad at 516-573-8040 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
