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Police are searching for a man they consider very dangerous. According to investigators he tried to sexually assault two women Thursday and a third earlier this week. Each time it happened in broad day light

Officers say the first attempt happened Monday in the Belk's parking lot at Columbiana center. Around 10:30 Thursday morning police say he was back in that area trying to sexually assault a woman inside a Harbison Boulevard store. Less than two hours later officers say the man was at it again, this time in the Midtown at Forest Acres parking lot.

"He's brazen, he's dangerous and we need to find him quickly," says Captain Thomas Dodson with the Columbia Police Department. He says the shocking crimes are becoming a pattern for one man. That pattern is easy the man stakes out malls or surrounding areas, looking for young, attractive women.

"Who are wearing dresses. Then he tries to raise their dress up and grope them," says Dodson.

Officials say the man is getting more aggressive. Thursday morning he went inside a Harbison store, waited for customers to clear out, then forced a 31-year-old clerk to the floor.

"He's over the top. These incidents have been happening in the daylight in the store with the customers," says Dodson.

Not only is the suspect attacking women in broad daylight, he doesn't stop at one a day. Thursday afternoon investigators say he went across town to Midtown at Forest Acres.

Surveillance cameras caught him on tape following a 25-year-old woman pushing a baby carriage out to the parking lot where he tried to sexually assault her.

"Other people in the parking lot heard her screaming and came to her rescue," says Lt. Bryant Hinson with Forest Acres Police Department.

After that, officers say the man then headed towards A.C. Flora High and Crayton Middle Schools; which were both locked down.

Police describe the suspect as a thin black man in his 20s or 30s around 5'10" - 6'0" feet tall with a salt and pepper goatee. He was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt with baggy jeans and dark framed glasses. If you see him or have any information that might help police find him call CRIMESTOPPERS at 1-888-CRIME-SC.