Cops seek masked man who tried to rob two Bay Shore stores

Police are searching for a masked man who attempted to rob two stores in Bay Shore late Wednesday but managed to steal only a key, Suffolk County police said.

The first incident occurred at a Kentucky Fried Chicken on East Main Street at 10:41 p.m., police said.

The second occurred at a 7-Eleven on Saxon Avenue at 11:31 p.m., police said.

Police said that, based on the details of the robbery attempts and a description of the suspect, they believe both incidents involved the same man.

In the first robbery, police said the man entered the KFC wearing a mask and a bag over his hand, announcing a robbery -- and implying he had a gun. But, police said, the robber got no cash and fled the scene only after stealing a key from a store employee. About 50 minutes later, police said, a suspect wearing a mask and a bag over his hand entered the 7-Eleven -- and announced a robbery.

Police said an employee did not turn over any cash -- and the robber fled the scene without any proceeds.

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.”