Police: Suspects sought in drug-deal robbery

Police are searching for three men they said robbed a man, attacking him and stealing his car, during a drug deal gone bad Wednesday in Hempstead.

The victim, identified only as a 22-year-old man, suffered a contusion to his face, he told police, after being struck in the face with a handgun.

The car was found several blocks from the robbery scene, Nassau County police said.

The incident took place at about 11 p.m., police said.

They said the victim had a prearranged deal to buy marijuana from the suspects.

Police said the victim met his contact on Circle Court Drive, then drove the man to a deli on South Franklin Avenue. There, police said, the two were met by two other men who also entered the victim's car -- but not before the victim was told to sit in the rear seat of the vehicle.

As the car was driven to another location, police said one of the suspects displayed a handgun and then struck the victim in the face with it.

The suspects stole cash and an iPhone from the victim before he fled the car and flagged down a motorist, who police said called 911.

The car was found several blocks from the robbery scene, police said. Police are seeking the trio and ask anyone with knowledge of the incident to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential, police said.