New London — Because of its small size and array of cameras that cover numerous angles of the Sunoco station on Colman Street, store clerk Shahzeb Ali said it’s hard not to notice when something is awry.

It wasn’t so much the hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, or even the yellow gloves of the customer that caught Ali’s eye on Saturday night. It was the fact the man was loitering at the back of the store, pulling items out and putting them back into the cooler.

By the time Ali finished with customers and was ready to ask what he was doing, the man was at the counter with a soda and milk.

He knows now that the hooded man fits the description of the suspect in a string of convenience store robberies that have plagued eastern Connecticut over the past week.

The first occurred April 2 at a Henny Penny convenience store on Route 12 in Groton. Three more Henny Penny convenience stores have since been robbed, the latest on Tuesday night in Waterford and others in Ledyard and Stonington.

Ali said the man pulled out a plastic bag and told Ali to put the money in the bag.

“I asked him ‘what money?’” Ali said. “He then showed me the gun from his pocket.”

Ali said his immediate reaction was not fright but rather confusion since he did not immediately comprehend what was happening. It had been busy that night. So, instead of handing over the money Ali told the man, “I have a lot of cameras here. I cannot do that.’ He just looked at me.”

Ali said the man left the milk and soda on the counter and walked out the door. Ali locked it behind him.

Police from several towns on Wednesday promised heightened vigilance in their patrols with a focus on the many convenience stores that dot the area.

Groton Town Police Detective Lt. John Varone said detectives from area towns remain in contact with each other and all hoping for a “speedy apprehension,” of the person responsible.

A representative from Henny Penny, which is owned by Hendels Inc. and based in Waterford, declined comment when reached by phone Wednesday. Hendels operates 25 Henny Penny stores across Connecticut, according to their website.

Waterford Police Lt. Steve Bellos said staff at all of the stores follow a set of protocols during such an incident. He said in any robbery, the best idea is to comply with the request of the armed individual to avoid injury.

Detectives are still following leads, enhancing footage and calling for help from the public in capturing the suspect, Bellos said. He said patrols in Waterford are conducting businesses checks not limited to any one chain of stores since, “nothing says it’s going to be a Henny Penny.”

Ali said the suspect appeared to be smarter than his appearance would make him out to be, since he seemed to be well aware of the cameras and wasted no time in the store. He also points out that the robber never actually pointed the gun at him, just held it.

“He just wanted the money, that’s it,” Ali said.

g.smith@theday.com

Twitter: @SmittyDay