MARYSVILLE, Wash. -- Detectives in two counties are looking for a man believed to be behind as many 17 tanning salon robberies in the area.

Detectives believe the man began his crime spree on July 18 when he robbed a salon in Mill Creek. Since then, his crime has expanded into King County.

Chez Soleil in Marysville is one of the latest shops to get hit.

Employee Kim DeGrot said the man in his 20s strolled in on Wednesday and asked for a tour of the salon.

"He doesn't seem nervous. He seems to have a routine down," said DeGrot.

But when the 19-year-old clerk found herself alone with the man, trouble began.

"That's when he pulls out a gun," DeGrot said.

And according to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, the man has done the exact same thing at 17 other tanning salons in King and Snohomish counties.

After the gun-wielding man robbed another salon just down the street from Chez Soleil, police released a sketch of the suspect.

Detectives said the man, who has brown hair and blue eyes, stands 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds.

Local tanning salons are showing that sketch to their employees, warning them to be alert. Salon owners don't know why the man is targeting tanning salons.

Anyone with information on the robberies or the man's whereabouts is urged to call detectives.