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April 7, 2016 By Christian Murray
The police are looking for a man who has been robbing fast food restaurants and gas stations in Queens and Brooklyn in the past three weeks, with his latest victim being the owner of the Subway Restaurant on Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside.
The alleged perpetrator, who police have named as August Watkins, has walked into 16 stores since March 26, pretending to have a firearm and then taking cash from the register.
The NYPD released a photo of Watkins, 30, on Thursday, who they believe is responsible for the robbery pattern that includes several heists in Sunnyside and Woodside.
Watkins (NYPD)
Subway Restaurant, located at 43-19 Queens Blvd, was targeted Tuesday at 11:45 pm, according to police. The police provided no further details on the incident, although this was not the only store in Sunnyside to be targeted.
99 Cent Paradise, located at 42-06 Greenpoint Avenue was robbed on Saturday, April 2, at 1:25 pm, according to police. Less than 10 minutes later Choice Liquors, located at 43-42 48th Street was hit.
Some Woodside stores were also robbed, according to police. The Rite Aid, located at 58-01 Queens Blvd, was robbed on Friday, April 1 at 6:05 am. Also, the Mobile Gas Station at 68-09 Queens Blvd was robbed on Thursday, March 31 at 3:40 am.
The other incidents took place in Long Island City, Ozone Park and Rego Park in Queens as well as Greenpoint and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Police describe Watkins as a 30-year-old Hispanic male who is 6 feet tall, weighing 215 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair. He was observed in one of the incidents wearing gray jogging pants and a black 3/4-length jacket.
Anyone with information regarding Watkins’ whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
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