Cops: Knife-wielding man robs Hewlett card shop

A man armed with a large knife stole cash, cigarettes and lottery tickets from a card and gift shop Monday morning in Hewlett, police said.

Nassau County police said the suspect is believed to be about 5-foot-9 with a medium build and that he wore dark glasses and a black mask that covered his nose and mouth.

They are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential, police said.

Police said the robbery took place at Jaclyn's Card and Gift Shop on Peninsula Boulevard at about 9:30 a.m. Monday.

The robber displayed the large knife and demanded cash from the 44-year-old male employee, police said. Police said the victim handed over an undisclosed amount of cash and said the robber then grabbed the cigarettes and lottery tickets before fleeing.

There were no injuries.

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.”