Cops: 2nd Man in 1 Day Beaten During Gunpoint Robbery in Riverhead

A second man was beaten Friday during an attempted gunpoint robbery in Riverhead, police said.

According to Riverhead Town police, a man was walking south on Griffing Avenue just north of the railroad tracks at 10 p.m. Friday when he was approached by two black men. One man grabbed him and pointed a handgun at him, police said, with the second man standing at his side.

The man holding the gun demanded cash from the victim, police said. The victim was struck in the head several times with the handgun, police said. No cash was taken from the victim, authorities added.

The two men fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim was taken by Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and released.

The incident was the second gunpoint robbery attempt in Riverhead on Friday. 

Early Friday morning, a man walking to work was beaten with a rock in attempted gunpoint robbery, police said.

According to Riverhead Town police the man, 26, of Riverhead, was at the intersection of Swezey Avenue and Pulaski Street on Friday at 6:15 a.m. when he was approached by a black man and a black woman; the woman pointed a gun at him and the man demanded money, police said.

He was then hit in the face with a rock by the man, causing him to fall to the ground. According to police, the suspect continued to beat the man with a rock while demanding money.

Next, a car passed by, causing the suspects to flee eastbound without getting any cash, police said.

The victim then walked home and reported the incident, police said. He was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment of facial, shoulder, and head injuries.

Both investigations are ongoing; anyone with information has been asked to call Riverhead Town police at 631-727-4500 ext. 313 or 321.