Valley Stream pizza shop worker robbed at gunpoint, police say

An employee working alone at a Papa John's pizza store in Valley Stream was robbed at gunpoint Monday night by a masked man who police said stole the counterman's cash and wallet.

The worker, identified only as a 21-year-old man, was not injured in the robbery, Nassau County police said. Police said the suspect fled on foot.

The robbery occurred at the store on West Merrick Road about 11:30 p.m. It was not clear how much money was taken.

Police said the suspect, described as being about 6-foot or 6-foot-1 with long black dreadlocks, wore a black hooded shirt, a black nylon jacket, black mask, dark sunglasses, light blue jeans, tan work boots and carried a dark-colored semiautomatic handgun.

Police are asking anyone with information about the robbery 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.”