By NANCY HILER
They were still at large as of press time, Nassau County Robbery Squad detectives reported.
Described as three Hispanic men between 18 and 20 years old, the suspects entered the jewelry store and asked to see gold chains. One of them then pulled a black handgun from his waistband . Holding the store owner, two store employees and the two customers who were in the store at gunpoint, he ordered them into a backroom, detectives said. The storeowner pressed the panic alarm.
The gunman's two accomplices pocketed an undisclosed amount of jewelry from the display cases, police said. The trio was last seen heading east on Merrick Road shortly after 3 p.m. in a 2004 GMC sport utility vehicle, reported stolen in New York City, detectives said.
The gunman is described as 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11, 170 pounds, slender build, clean-shaven, with short-cropped hair and wearing a dark-colored jacket. One of the other suspects was said to be about 5-foot-6 and wearing a gray short-sleeved shirt. The only detail provided about the third man was that he was light-skinned.
The store is at 2723 Merrick Road, in same shopping area as Eng's Chinese Restaurant and Town Bagel.
Police ask anyone with information about the crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain confidential.
Comments about this story? Nhiler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
