By Matt Hampton
The first incident took place on April 9 at 9:20 p.m. at the Mini Convenience Store on Hempstead Turnpike in Franklin Square, according to police. Two suspects, both armed with handguns and wearing ski masks, approached the 53-year-old store owner, who was also working as the shop’s clerk, and demanded money from the cash register, police said. The men grabbed an unknown amount of cash before fleeing the store and getting into a dark-colored sedan that was parked outside and, according to police, headed west on Hempstead Turnpike. The suspects were described as two men in their late 20s.
There were two customers in the store at the time, but there were no reported injuries.
At 4 p.m. the following day, a man between 40 and 45, armed with a handgun, entered the S&S Card and Gift Store on Dutch Broadway in Elmont and approached the store owner, who was behind the counter at the time, according to a police report. The suspect demanded money, the owner refused and, police said, the suspect pistol-whipped him several times and forced him to open the cash register. The suspect grabbed an unknown amount of cash and fled the scene, according to police, and the store owner was taken to a hospital, where he was treated for head injuries.
Fifth Precinct police said they are investigating to determine whether the suspects were working together. “It’s close in proximity and close in time, and the M.O.’s are similar enough for us to believe that it might be a pattern,” said Detective Sgt. Jeanne Gans.
Gans added that there was a jump in the number of incidents last week. “I don’t know if this is necessarily anything that’s not usual — we usually have some,” she said. “But it seems like over this past four days there have been more [robberies] than normal.”
Franklin Square Chamber of Commerce President Mary Seifert said she was not totally surprised by the incidents, given the tough economic situation many shop owners are facing. “Because of the economy, what’s happening is we’re cutting back on staff ... some owners may have to work the business alone in order to pay the bills,” Seifert explained. “These robbers are aware of that.” She said she wanted to see shop owners band together to look out for their neighbors and help keep the community safe.
Anyone who has information about either incident is asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All information will be kept confidential.
Comments about this story? MHampton@
liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 214.
