A second armed robbery attempt was reported in Riverhead last night, less than a half-mile from the scene of an early morning holdup in Polish Town.
Riverhead Police said Baldomero Cojon Cotzoj, 33, of Calverton man was walking north on Griffing Avenue near the railroad tracks when he was approached by two men. One grabbed him, pointed a handgun at him and demanded cash, police said.
The victim was then struck in the head several times with the butt of the handgun. The men then ran away in an unknown direction, without getting any money from the victim.
Cojon was taken by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Peconic Bay Medical Center, where he was treated and released.
At 6:15 yesterday morning, Ervin Guzman, 26, was walking on Sweezy Avenue when he was approached by a man and a woman near the intersection at Pulaski Street. See prior story. The woman pointed a handgun at Guzman and the man demanded money, police said. The man hit Guzman in the face and head several times with a large rock. He too was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police did not say whether they believe the armed holdups — 18 hours and less than a half-mile apart — were in any way related. Both victims were Hispanic men walking alone. In each instance, there were two would-be robbers, one bearing a handgun. Both victims were beaten during the holdup. The robbers last night were described by police only as black males. The perpetrators in yesterday morning’s incident were described only as a black male and a black female. No money or anything else was reported taken from the victims.
Riverhead Police are asking anyone with information about either crime to call 631-727-4500 ext. 321.
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