Austin police are warning restaurants and businesses of fraudulent calls and searching for a man who they say is behind the rash of scams.

The suspect, who police identified as 52-year-old Kevin Joseph Reese, calls restaurants and businesses in the area and tricks employees into giving him a refund, police said.

According to police, Reese gathers information about a restaurant or business owner by phone. He then calls again, posing as the owner, telling employees that a customer will be coming in for a refund because they were over charged, before finally posing as the customer receiving the refund, police said.

Police have opened at least five cases this year into these types of incidents at Voodoo Doughnut, Enoteca Vespaio, Mr. Gatti's Pizza, Mama Fu's Asian House and Tiff's Treats. Reese was arrested at the start of this year for similar scams but is not currently in custody, police said.

Surveillance footage from the Midtown Grocery & Cafe, at the intersection of North Lamar Boulevard and West St. Johns Avenue, shows Reese receiving a refund on Nov. 25, police said.

Businesses that receive a call from 512-217-3447 or 512-668-4150 and are asked for information about the owner or are told a customer is coming in for a refund, are most likely targets of a scam, police said.

Employees should call 311 and make a non-emergency report or call 911 if the incident is in progress, police said.

Tips also can be submitted through the police department's mobile app, Austin PD.