Cops: Masked man robbed Valley Stream store

Police are searching for a masked man who robbed a Rite Aid pharmacy in Valley Stream early Friday, punching and kicking an 18-year-old employee before fleeing with cash.

Nassau County police said the employee was not injured in the robbery and said, though there were two other employees and two customers in the store, no one else witnessed the robbery. The robbery occurred at 12:35 a.m. at the store on West Merrick Road.

The employee told police he was approached by "an unknown male wearing a black jacket and a black ski mask with a white design on the side" who had entered the store. The suspect then demanded to be taken to the store safe, police said, and the employee complied -- the suspect stealing an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing.

It was not immediately clear if the robbery was caught on store surveillance video.

Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.