A United Nations employee has been arrested over a string of New York bank robberies he allegedly committed while on his lunch break.

Abdullahi Shuaibu, 53, was arrested at the UN offices in Manhattan on Monday when he returned to work after allegedly trying to rob a HSBC bank nearby.

Police said Shuaibu opted to stay close to the UN headquarters when he allegedly robbed three banks in February and March and stole $10,000.

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Abdullahi Shuaibu, 53, was arrested at the UN offices in Manhattan on Monday when he returned to work. Police claim surveillance footage (above) shows him robbing four banks

Shuaibu was caught on his fourth heist after a retired UN worker recognized him from a wanted photo released by police.

Police claim Shuaibu would pass a note to the teller in the alleged robberies saying he had a gun and demanding cash, NBC reports.

Surveillance images released by police show Shuaibu talking on a cell phone and wearing white-tipped gloves while allegedly carrying out the robberies.

Police were waiting to arrest him at the UN's Foreign Press Centers on Monday.

Shuaibu works as a communications officers at the UN. His Facebook page shows photos of him posing with UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft (above)

Shuaibu was arrested (left) after his fourth heist after a retired UN worker recognized him from a wanted photo (right) released by police

Shuaibu, who lives in Queens, works as a communications officers at the UN.

He is also believed to be a journalist with an African news agency.

His Facebook page shows photos of him posing with UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft and on assignment in Sudan.

Shuaibu has been charged with two counts of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.