Cops: Masked robbers attack cell store owner

Three robbers, all wearing masks, pistol-whipped the 19-year-old owner of a Westbury cell phone store Thursday afternoon, tying him up and throwing him down a flight of stairs before stealing $3,000 worth of merchandise, Nassau County police said.

The victim, whose identity was not released, suffered a bruised eye and was treated at the scene, police said. He declined treatment at a local hospital.

Police are still searching for the robbers.

The incident occurred at the Hot Spot, an AT&T cell phone store on Old Country Road at 1:08 p.m. Police said the trio, all wearing masks, pistol-whipped the owner with a black handgun and then tied his hands behind his back with wire.

They took his wallet and cell phone, police said.

Then, police said, they stole cell phones and computer equipment. Police said that after placing the stolen merchandise into a bag, the trio took the owner to the rear of the store and threw him down a flight of stairs.

They then fled.

Police said the victim, who was alone in the store at the time of the robbery, managed to free himself and call 911.

Police are searching for the robbers, all three described as being about 5-foot-10 with average builds. One wore a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants, another a gray hoodie with dark pants and a baseball cap. The third word a gray hoodie with light-colored pants, police said.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the robbery to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.