WASHINGTON - D.C. Police have arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for a series of robberies in Northwest over the course of just a couple weeks.

Ezra Mathis, 29, was taken into police custody near the intersection of Potomac Avenue and M Street. The address of the suspect, however, is not known.

The brazen robbery attempts had store clerks across Northwest D.C. on edge after the suspect hit eight shops in just two weeks. D.C. police believe a robbery at Bandolino's shoe store in Georgetown Thursday night was the latest in the string of armed robberies. Authorities say the incident occurred around 8:05 p.m. at the shoe store on Wisconsin Avenue. The suspect reportedly walked into the store and approached a female employee, then demanded money from the cash register before leaving the store.

This marked the bandit's eighth attack. Every time, the suspect waited for the clerk to be alone, then approached with a weapon and demanded cash. The robberies typically took place between 2:00 and 8:00 p.m., often in broad daylight.

"He's pretty bold, I'll give him that," said D.C. resident Elizabeth Campbell.

But northwest resident Arthur Williams believed the suspect's predictability would be his downfall. "He has a pattern. He's mixed up, because sooner or later, he's going to get caught. And I'm hoping it's real soon."

As a result, store employees in the District were on high alert. "I guess once they've made the point that it's been more than once you definitely have it in the back of your mind," said Melissa Koch, a PetMac employee.

"I take precautions when I'm here by myself," added another store employee. "You know, when it's dark, to be careful. But in the middle of the day, it's easy to get complacent."

Megan Gay, a robbery victim and employee at Junction Vintage Clothing, relives her attack. "He waited until I was alone -- then he cornered me," she said.

Most of the victims describe similar burglaries, but Gustavo Dinucci says his neighbor told him the robber had a gun. "The guy walked in with a bag and asked her to give her the money," he said. "And he [said] he has a weapon inside so she gave the money away."

The thief known as the Northwest Robber had covered much of the Northwest quadrant of the city. His first strike less than two weeks ago was the City Sports store in Chinatown. The suspect apparently lingered for hours until the cashier was alone.

The Wisconsin Avenue Collection store was struck by the robber Monday afternoon. The owner told ABC 7 / NewsChannel 8 reporter John Gonzalez that she would ask her neighbors to be careful.

"It's disconcerting -- especially when you are working alone in the evenings," noted David Dennis, an employee at RCKNDY Sweet Decor.

At the Matisse restaurant next door, employees worry about being the next target. "The thought of someone coming in, you know, and being in front of you in the middle of the day is really frightening," noted one employee. Restaurant manager Diana Siegfried quickly posted signs for her staff explaining the circumstances and urging them to take precautions.

Police had warned store employees to lock doors, walk in groups and stay vigilant.

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