Cops Investigate Armed Robbery in Bridgehampton

Police are looking for a man they said broke into a Bridgehampton house, armed with a handgun, robbing a victim and pistol whipping him on Tuesday.

Southampton Town police said they were called to a house on the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, near Huntington Crossway, at 11:31 a.m., and found a 26-year-old with injuries.

A man with a handgun forced his way into a house by "violently shoving a 51-year-old female who had answered the door," Detective James Mazzio said in a press release issued on Wednesday night. The man then went upstairs and demanded that the victim give him money, then struck him "repeatedly" with the gun. The robber then stole multiple electronic devices from the house before leaving on foot, according to police.

Police said they believe this was no random act, and "that the perpetrator targeted the residence." No description of the robber was provided.

The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to Southampton Hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A search of the area ensued. Southampton Town police received assistance from Sag Harbor Village police and the Suffolk County Sheriff's K-9 unit, but the suspect was not located.

On Tuesday evening, police from several jurisdictions, including  Southampton Town, East Hampton Village, East Hampton Town, and Sag Harbor Village, were staking out the area on the foot, reportedly searching the woods. Huntington Crossway was blocked off at both ends, while a county police helicopter conducted a search. Many of the officers on the street were seen carrying rifles on their shoulders.

Detectives said they are conducting "a full, vigorous investigation into the incident," but would not comment further.