Michigan City Police are asking for your help. In recent months, local businesses have seen a rash of burglaries, and just yesterday things escalated in a second armed robbery this month.

A Fannie May employee was held up as she entered work Tuesday morning.

Michigan City Police say the suspect is breaking and entering in an unusual way -- through the roof.

Police think he's responsible for two armed robberies this month and a string of burglaries in the last few months.

Take a close look at the suspect's picture; it's taken from a store surveillance tape. Police say he's a black male, 5'5" to 5'6", has a slender build, and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Police are hoping someone will recognize him.

Just after nine Tuesday morning, an employee at the Fannie May store entered work, only to be greeted by an armed suspect. Police say the suspect ordered the women to open the safe and then locked her in the bathroom.

"It surprised her and she's very shook up," says Michigan City Police Lt. Sue Harrison.

Fortunately, the employee was not harmed, but police are warning other businesses to be cautious.

"They told us about the robbery that was down the street and told us to be suspicious if there's anybody out around the building, if you see any footprints, or if something is different inside your store," says Ed Mullin, a manager with Michigan City's American Mattress.

A similar armed robbery occurred on January 2nd at the McDonald's on the 5800-block of Franklin Street, just down the road from Fannie May.

On the video surveillance tape from that robbery, you can see the suspect take a moment to peak at the camera before putting his mask on.

"I'm hoping that the picture that we have of him, somebody can identify him just from the facial shot that we do have," adds Lt. Harrison.

Meantime, employees at area businesses say word is getting around, and they're being extra mindful of anything that doesn't look right.

"You have to be aware of your surroundings at all times, anyways, in any retail field," says Mullin.

"We just hope he doesn't hurt anybody. There's usually two or three of us here, and it's scary. We're women and afraid at night. I just keep my eyes open all the time, you just never know what's going to happen," says Pat Mekola, a manager at Michigan City's JoAnn Fabrics & Crafts.

"With the economy being like this, you never know what's going to happen -- anybody can do anything. When times are rough, people take risks and do a lot of anything to get by," adds Mullin.

Police consider the suspect armed and dangerous. They ask businesses to be alert when opening each day. If you have any information, call Michigan City Police at 219-874-3221. Detective Ken Drake is the lead investigator on the case.

Police say the suspect has hit several businesses along Franklin Street in Michigan City, and there have been similar incidents reported in Porter County and Trail Creek.