Nassau cops probe robbery, attempted heist at 2 Dunkin' stores

Nassau County Police Fourth Squad detectives are trying to determine if an attempted robbery of a Dunkin' store early Friday morning in Oceanside and the robbery of a Dunkin' store in Island Park barely 10 minutes later were the work of the same suspect.

The first incident occurred at the store at 2885 Long Beach Rd. in Oceanside at 12:55 a.m., while the second occurred at the store at 4261 Austin Blvd. in Island Park at 1:04 a.m., police said. In both cases, police said, the suspect was a male, either in his late 30s or early 40s, about 6-foot-2.

Police also said in both incidents the suspect had his hand in his pocket, a gesture police said that might've been made to indicate he had a gun.

No weapon was seen, police said.

Police said the suspect entered the Oceanside Dunkin' at about 12:55 a.m. and, hand in pocket, ordered the male employee to open the register. But, police said, the employee picked a knife off the counter and ordered the suspect out of the store. The suspect then fled, police said, without any proceeds.

Just nine minutes later, police said, a suspect entered the Island Park store and, hand in pocket, demanded the register cash tray. The employee complied.

Long Beach Road splits at a fork in Island Park, one road continuing as Long Beach Road and the other becoming Austin Boulevard. The two Dunkin' stores are barely two miles apart.

In addition to the age and height, the suspect in the first incident was said to have worn a gray hoodie with a tan jacket, black sweatpants, black socks and black sandals. Police said the witness told them the man had a blondish-red mustache.

In the second incident, the witness told police the suspect wore a dark hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Police are asking anyone with information about either of the incidents to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. 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.”