LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A woman with a gun has robbed six small stores in South Los Angeles in nine weeks, and police asked for the public's help today to identify their unknown suspect.
The woman's crime spree began on Jan. 11, according to Los Angeles police detectives. Since then, she is believed to have committed five additional robberies .
The surveillance video recently released by the LAPD shows the woman approach what appears to be a convenience store counter and then suddenly pull out a handgun. She aims at the female clerk, who rears back in fear.
In the surveillance video the suspect attempts to climb over the counter, it tips toward her, almost pinning her legs as it crashes to the floor. A second female clerk appears and the woman is given cash from the register, which was tipped over along with the counter.
What appears to be a small child can also be seen wandering behind the toppled counter while the robbery is taking place.
Video shot from another angle shows the woman heading toward the exit.
``She is targeting small neighborhood markets and businesses, and has used a handgun in all but one of the robberies,'' according to the LAPD. ``All the robberies have occurred in the area of Manchester Avenue and Avalon Boulevard.''
No one has been injured during the robberies, but the woman should be considered armed and dangerous, police said.
The suspect was described as black, 40-50 years old, between 5 feet-7 inches and 5 feet-10 inches tall, and weighing from 220 to 240 pounds.
Police asked anyone with information to call 911, or (213) 486-6840 to speak with LAPD Robbery Homicide Division Detective Teresa Alonzo.
After-hours and weekend calls should be directed to the LAPD's 24-hour tipline at (877) LAPD-24-7.
Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.