NEW BEDFORD - New Bedford Police say Wednesday's robberies of two discount stores may be connected to other robberies in the city.

Just after 12 p.m. Wednesday, the Family Dollar on Hathaway Road was robbed by a man armed with a handgun. A witness told police the man entered the store and went behind the counter near the clerk. The suspect pointed a gun at the female clerk and ordered her to give him the money from the register. The clerk complied and the suspect fled in his vehicle. He's described as a white male, about 6' tall with brown eyes and a slim build, wearing a black coat and grey sweatpants.

Later that night, just before 10 p.m., New Bedford Police responded to a report of another armed robbery at Dollar General on Church Street. Witnesses say in that robbery, two armed men entered the store wearing masks and demanded money. The men took the cash and fled on foot. One of the suspects was described as a white male, about 5’7" to 5’9", with a slim build, wearing a dark hooded jacket, dark pants and grey shoes. The second suspect was described as a white male, 5’8" to 5’10", with a medium build, wearing a white mask, gray/black hooded zippered sweatshirt, grey sweatpants, dark shoes and white gloves.

Anyone with information on either robbery is asked to call New Bedford Police at 508-991-6350 or the anonymous tip line at 508-992-7463 or e-mail tip@newbedfordpd.com.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420