The Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division is asking the public for help tracking down a man who flashed a badge pretending to be a plainclothes cop, and then robbed his victims.

Investigators believe the impersonator is responsible for five recent robberies in the Los Angeles area.

The suspect had a phony badge hanging from his neck. When he approached his victims, he identified himself as a police officer. He then performed a pat-down search of the victims.

Investigators say in some incidents, the suspect handcuffed his victims prior to searching them and ransacking their vehicle.

During the searches, the suspect took the victim's money and then escaped in a 2000-2006 gray or dark blue Chevy Suburban with a luggage rack on top.

The suspect is described as Hispanic, in his early 40's, with black hair, brown eyes and tattoos of female faces on both arms.

He stands between 5 feet 11 inches and 6 feet tall, and weighs between 200 and 250 pounds.

He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt and a two-tone baseball cap.

The robberies occurred at the following locations:

Anyone with information regarding these robberies is urged to contact the Robbery-Homicide Division at (213) 486-6840.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).