By Andrew Hackmack
Police said that the victims' injuries were not life-threatening, but as of press time, the suspects were still at large.
Police remained on the scene, at 130 N. Montgomery St., for several hours on Monday. It is the last house on the dead end street, four blocks north of Merrick Road. A neighbor who lives across the street said he saw a number of police cars pull up shortly after 7:30 a.m. but did not know what had happened.
According to detectives, the 49-year-old homeowner went outside to warm up his car, then went back inside. Two masked men, who police described as being in their late teens or early 20s, followed him inside, struck him on the head with a gun and then shot him in the thigh.
Authorities said they believe the home was targeted. According to a police report, the suspects repeatedly asked "Where's the money?" during the confrontation. Another resident, a 21-year-old man, gave them $4,500 from a drawer, according to police. The suspects also made off with a computer and a gold chain, fleeing in the older man's red 1998 Ford Escort.
The 21-year-old reportedly followed the suspects outside, where he was shot in his lower left leg. Police spokesman John Mullaney said that neither victim was critically wounded. The two were transported to an area hospital.
In the wake of the incident, Districts 24 and 30 ordered all of their schools into lockdown for about an hour. "I'm glad we locked it down because the schools are so close," said District 30 Superintendent Dr. Elaine Kanas. Shaw Avenue School is just three blocks away. Kanas added that she was told by parents that helicopters were also circling in the area of Forest Road School, on the other side of Sunrise Highway.
Kanas explained that in a lockdown, no one is allowed to enter or leave the school. The lockdown began at about 8:30 a.m., she said, almost immediately after all students had arrived for the day.
District 24 Superintendent Dr. Edward Fale said he was told by police that police were searching in the area for people who had fled a crime scene, and it would be advisable to lock down the schools.
Wheeler Avenue School in District 13 was also locked down, as were Memorial Junior High, Central High and South High.
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All callers will be kept anonymous.
Adam Malmut contributed to this story. Comments about it? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
