Police in Bridgeport are searching for three men they say are responsible for two armed robberies.

According to police, the robberies occurred within about an hour of each other Tuesday night.

Police say in the first incident, the three men entered Eddie?s Market on Barnum Avenue with two handguns and an assault-type rifle. According to police, a clerk inside the store was punched in the face by one of the suspects. The three men made off with an undetermined amount of cash and several pre-paid cell phones.

Police say pre-paid phones are often stolen because they are untraceable.

The second incident occurred near Madison and Burnsford avenues. Police say two men fitting the same description from the first robbery held up a man on the street and took an unknown amount of cash.

Police say crimes of this nature are very serious. Investigators are looking for possible footage from the store's surveillance cameras to help make an identification in the case. They are appealing to the public for help. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgeport police at (203) 576-7917.