Workers tied up in Syosset restaurant robbery

Police are searching for two armed robbers who bound three employees inside a Syosset restaurant Sunday morning, but fled after an unsuccessful attempt to break into the safe.

One robber had a gun, and the other had a knife and a crowbar, Nassau County police said.

The robbers only managed to steal three cellphones in the incident at Cafe Testarossa on Jericho Turnpike, police said. Police said the assailants were seen fleeing in a brown or beige vehicle.

The incident occurred at about 8:20 a.m., police said.

According to detectives, a 65-year-old male employee opened the restaurant and was immediately confronted by the two armed robbers. The two demanded the man open the restaurant safe, but police said the employee did not have the code.

The robbers took the employee's cellphone, police said -- and then tied him up.

A short time later a 48-year-old male employee arrived at the restaurant and was bound when he explained he could not open the safe. His cellphone also was taken.

A 56-year-old female employee also was confronted when she arrived for work, police said, but also could not open the safe -- and also was bound. Police said her cellphone was taken, too.

The two robbers then tried to use the crowbar to open the safe, police said, but were unsuccessful. They took the cellphones and fled the scene.

Police said the 48-year-old employee managed to free himself, running to a nearby business where he called police.

No one was injured.

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