Police: 7-Eleven, Dunkin’ Donuts robberies may be related

Police are trying to determine if two armed robberies — one Thursday afternoon at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Hauppauge, the second early Friday at a 7-Eleven in Islandia — are related.

Suffolk County police said Fourth Squad detectives are investigating the robberies, which occurred about 8 ½ hours apart.

The first robbery took place when police said a man entered a Dunkin’ Donuts store on Veterans Memorial Highway at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday, armed with a gun and demanding cash. Police did not say how much was taken, but said the suspect fled on foot. No one was injured.

The second robbery took place at about 12:55 a.m. Friday, when police said a man entered a 7-Eleven on Motor Parkway in Islandia and, armed with a handgun, demanded cash. Again, no one was injured. Police said the suspect fled on foot.

Police are asking anyone with information about the robberies to call Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477.

All calls will remain confidential.

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.”