Fort Worth police are asking for the public's help in finding an armed, serial robber that detectives consider armed, aggressive and clever.
The unidentified man uses disguises to hide his face from employees and surveillance cameras, police said.
Fort Worth police said the man has robbed 16 businesses since June in at least six different Tarrant County cities. Of those 16 robberies, 12 have been at Metro PCS stores. The other four were at check-cashing or car title businesses.
The man appears to know where surveillance cameras are located and displays a handgun, often as soon as he enters a store, investigators said.
“He’s armed and aggressive with victims. He demands cash and makes them stay in back rooms or on the ground,” Fort Worth police Detective Stephanie Phillips said.
Investigators said the man has robbed businesses in Burleson, Mansfield, Pantego, North Richland Hills, Fort Worth and Arlington. They declined to say if he steals any property, but said he gets at least a couple hundred dollars at each store.
One Fort Worth police report shows the robber stole $2,000 from a check-cashing store in August.
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The man hits the stores at different times of the day, from the opening of business to the closing time, posing a challenge to investigators. He also changes up his look with costumes that often conceal his face and identity.
“He’s worn a construction vest and hard hat, cowboy outfits, a floral delivery person carrying flowers and, most recently, put a piece of paper behind his glasses,” Phillips said.
The man was dressed as a cowboy when he entered Adriana Hernandez's Metro PCS store. She said Friday that she was glad to hear that police were putting out his picture.
"Hopefully, they catch him -- because it's pretty scary -- before he does anything else," she said. "Good thing nothing more happened to us."
Police are asking customers to be aware of anyone who comes into a store wearing a disguise. They said they hope someone will be able to see if he gets into a car.
So far, investigators do not know how he leaves each location or if anyone is helping him. They said they also worry he may become more aggressive and hurt someone.
