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DURHAM – A Durham man is behind bars, charged with robbing the First South Bank on University Drive just after 1 p.m. Monday afternoon.

Police say 53-year-old Cameron Lawrence Taylor entered the bank, gave the teller a note threatening to use a weapon, stole cash and tried to flee. He was later caught by police.

It’s just one in a recent string of bank and convenience store robberies around the Triangle – and area police are now on alert.

In February, cameras caught a masked gunman holding up the Suntrust Bank in Raleigh. Surveillance video also showed two men robbing the Racing Mart last week in Apex.

Authorities say thieves are increasingly targeting local banks and convenience stores.

"We've had four armed robberies since Jan. 27," Ann Stevens, with the Apex Police Department, said.

There have been so many, police fear some are the work of a serial robber.

"In Raleigh, we have three bank robberies that we believe are related and we also believe that one of those robberies is related to a Cary robbery that happened in November," Laura Hourigan, with the Raleigh Police Department, said.

In Durham, police are looking for suspects in five bank robberies, and Apex police think their recent robbery cases are connected to crimes in the Bull City.

"We've been speaking with Durham police department about a few armed robberies they've had to see if they are connected to the ones we've had," Stevens said.

Authorities are also asking for the public’s help to keep a watchful eye when entering banks and convenience stores.

"To be on your guard and to make sure you are looking in the parking lot to see if you see anybody suspicious in the store, and if you do, call the local police department and get them to come out and investigate it," Stevens said.