Salem Armed Robbery Suspects at Large (VIDEO)

Investigators say that although both of these cases are very similar, they do not believe they are connected at this time.

Images from store camera

(SALEM, Ore.) - Police are searching for an armed robbery suspect who struck two Salem businesses Saturday night.

The first robbery happened at 8:15 p.m. in the 100 block of Lancaster Drive NE at the 76 Gas Station.

Both of the employees who were robbed at that location, told Salem-News.com the suspect approached them at the gasoline pumps, and then fled northbound on Lancaster Drive NE in a white Honda.

Lieutenant Sheila Lorance with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, says the suspect is described as a white male in his 20's, wearing a black ski mask and blue jeans.

Deputies investigating the case went to the home of the car's registered owner in Salem, and learned that the Honda was reported stolen.

Lorance says deputies determined that the suspect vehicle had been stolen earlier that evening from the Toys-R-Us parking lot.

"The owner of the vehicle is an employee at the store, and she told investigators she wasn't aware that her car had been stolen until she was contacted by the Sheriff's Office," Lorance said.

Second Robbery

Approximately one hour after the first robbery, at 9:21 p.m., a 911 call came in advising dispatchers that another Armed Robbery had just occurred at the State Street Market in the 4000 block of State Street.

By the time deputies arrived, the suspect and vehicle had again fled the scene.

Lorance says store employees indicated the suspect entered the store and pointed a small black handgun at both of them and demanded they open the register.

"He then took an undisclosed amount of money and exited the store. The suspect was last seen driving a white Honda, eastbound on State Street."

In this case, the suspect was wearing blue or gray zip up overalls with grease stains on the thighs, buttocks and sleeves, black tennis shoes, black gloves and a black ski mask.

Deputies located the suspect vehicle Sunday, abandoned on Eldin Ave NE. It will be processed for evidence as this investigation continues.

Surveillance video was recovered from the State Street Market. Lorance says it should be noted when watching the first video that right before the suspect goes off camera he lifts the ski mask off of his face.

"The Sheriff's office is hopeful that someone will recognize the suspect from this video. If you have any information regarding the suspect or vehicle used in this case, please contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 503 588-5032."

Lorance says that although both of these cases are very similar, deputies do not believe they are connected at this time.

Surveillance video recorded Saturday night: