A woman was stabbed in the hand before having her handbag stolen in the second incident within hours at the same supermarket car park in north Belfast.
A robbery and another attempted robbery took place in the Antrim Road area yesterday evening (Tuesday).
The man is believed to have fled towards the Limestone Road following both incidents.
Detective Sergeant McPhillips said around 5.20pm a man unsuccessfully tried to steal a handbag from a woman in the supermarket car park before making off.
At 8.20pm, another woman was approached in the same car park by a man armed with a knife. She was stabbed in the hand and suffered a small cut. Her handbag was taken and the suspect again made off in the direction of the Limestone Road.
He’s believed to be around 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark jacket.
Anyone with information should contact 101 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.
