Jewelry store robbery may be connected to another on Staten Island

ELIZABETH, New Jersey (WABC) -- There were two armed robberies in two days in two different states.

Police in New York City and Elizabeth, New Jersey, are now working together to see if the brazen robberies are in any way connected.

The most recent happened Tuesday morning before the stores even opened at a mall in New Jersey.

Police report four men stormed a jewelry store which features multiple vendors.

It's called "Jewelers on Fifth."

Eyewitness News is told the suspects had masks and caps on, and one was armed with a semi-automatic long weapon.

It's not clear how much they swiped before escaping in a black Audi with tinted windows.

Authorities believe the vehicle may have fled on the Outerbridge Crossing into Staten Island.

"They did come over the bridge. We will search for the car to find it, it's a joint investigation," said Robert Boyce, Chief of Detectives, NYPD.

On the other side of the bridge is a T-Mobile store which was robbed Monday morning.

But there are differences in the MO. In the Staten Island heist, there were only two suspects.

Police say they were wearing black masks and white gloves. One pulled a handgun.

They made off w $800 and 50 smart phones worth about $40,000.

In this case, the getaway car is described as silver with New Jersey tags.

"It's beautiful part of Staten Island, beautiful place," said Gary Perone, a resident. "To see what's going on, you don't know whose going back and forth over this bridge. That's part of the problem."

"The perps may have come from Staten Island, that's what's important," Boyce said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.