A national manhunt is under way after six post offices across the central belt were raided.
Premises in Burntisland, Cowdenbeath, Kincardine and Linlithgow were targeted by a man brandishing a weapon on Monday.
It followed similar incidents in Glenboig, North Lanarkshire, on Friday and Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, on Saturday.
Staff were left terrified and several thousands of pounds were taken from various premises during the crime spree across the central belt.
Police Scotland believe the same individual is responsible for carrying out all six of the raids and have appealed for the public’s help in tracking him down.
The suspect is described as being a white male in his 30s, of stocky build. He was unshaven at the time of the robberies and was wearing a distinctive high-visibility jacket.
He is said to have brandished a knife during the robbery in Burntisland.
On Tuesday it emerged he may have threatened the shopkeeper at the Kincardine post office with a hammer.
Nicky Erskine, who runs a post office service from Nicky’s licensed grocers in Kincardine, also had hair pulled out by the attacker.
Ms Erskine is believed to have been left very shaken by her ordeal at the hands of the robber, who is believed to have stolen a three figure sum before making his escape.
Around eight police cars converged at the scene in Elphinstone Street after the shocking incident at around 2.15pm.
A shopkeeper from the same street said she called the police after being alerted by a member of the public.
“A woman came along and said ‘get a phone’ and asked me to ring the police, so I rang the police,” said the woman, who asked not to be named.
“I ran along and opened the door and shouted to Nicky that the police were on their way.”
Ms Erskine was also checked over by paramedics after the attack.
A member of staff at a local pub said: “She looked a bit shaken but didn’t look hurt.
“I also heard that she was missing bits of hair.”
The alarm was raised initially at 11.25am after a man entered a post office in Linlithgow High Street and stole money from the till.
Almost an hour later, Cowdenbeath post office was targeted but the man left empty-handed after failing to access cash.
Burntisland post office was next to be hit and this time the suspect was said to be carrying a knife.
He made off with a four-figure sum before police arrived at 12.40pm.
Nicky’s in Kincardine was targeted an hour and a half later.
Detective Inspector Colin Robson, from Dunfermline CID, said: “These incidents were all extremely alarming for the staff involved and we are providing each of those affected with all the support they require while they assist us with our ongoing inquiries.
“We believe the same male was responsible for each of these crimes and would ask that anyone who can help us identify this individual contacts police immediately.”