Gunmen rob CVS, Walgreens pharmacies, Nassau cops say

Major Case Bureau detectives are searching for two armed men believed to have robbed pharmacies in Valley Stream and Bethpage, stealing an undisclosed amount of prescription drugs and cough medicine.

Nassau County police said the pair, both wearing dark-colored clothing including gloves and masks, robbed a CVS on North Central Avenue in Valley Stream at gunpoint at about 2:50 a.m. on Saturday, then robbed a Walgreens on Hempstead Turnpike in Bethpage at gunpoint at 2:40 a.m. Monday.

Amphetamines, Oxycodone, Percocet and cough medicine were stolen in the robberies, police said.

Police said three employees were in the CVS and five were in the Walgreens, but no injuries were reported. No customers were present in either robbery.

Handguns were used in both robberies. Police said one suspect was described 6 feet tall, the other as having a “stocky build.”

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the robberies to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. All calls will remain confidential and callers are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”