ESCONDIDO, Calif. -- Police are asking for the public's help in finding a woman suspected of committing six armed robberies and one attempted robbery throughout Escondido during the past three weeks.

"The woman targets fast-food establishments and convenience stores. In several cases, the suspect approaches the counter, shows the clerk a handgun and demands cash," the Escondido Police Department said in a statement.

The robberies began Oct. 23 at a 7-Eleven. The most recent was Monday at another 7-Eleven, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The woman, who carries a black handgun, was described as a Hispanic or white female, 20 to 25 years old, 5 feet 2 inches tall and heavy-set. She has curly black shoulder-length hair and has been seen wearing baggy jeans and a gray sweat jacket, the newspaper reported.

Escondido police offered a $500 reward for information leading to the identity, arrest and conviction of the robber.

Anyone with information on the robber's whereabouts was urged to call Escondido police Detective Mike Martinez at 760-839-4739.