Armed robber strikes in two towns

Branford (WTNH) - State and local police are investigating two armed robberies in two neighboring shoreline towns.

The first happened in East Haven at the Hess gas station on Frontage Road and Cherry Street. The second happened at the McDonalds restaurant on the northbound I-95 rest area.

The manager of the Hess station told News Channel 8 a man approached a female customer who was pumping gas, threatened her with a knife, then robbed her.

That robber took off heading north on I-95.

At about 5:30, a man  matching the description of the East Haven robber was seen loitering outside the McDonalds. An employee on cleaning duty was approached by the man, who was brandishing a knife and demanded the employee access the cash register.

Both the employee and a manager told the suspect they could not access the register, and the man departed empty-handed.

Police are looking for a black male, 30-35 years old, between 5'10" and 6' tall, 190-200 pounds. He was wearing a hat and bandana over his face, so witnesses did not get much of a description.

He was wearing blue jeans and a gray jacket, and was seen leaving in a gray Toyota.

Anyone with information on what happened or who may have seen the man is asked to contact State Police Troop G at (203) 696-2500.