Police in Cumberland County are investigating two separate, yet similar, armed robberies. In both incidents, police say four men robbed the victims with a shotgun.

The first incident happened around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday on East Coover Street in Mechanicsburg. Police say a 19-year-old man was walking down the street when he was approached by two black males.

One of the suspects is described as having dreadlocks, a red hat and latex gloves. Both demanded money and the victim's cell phone.

The victim refused to hand over his phone. At that time, the suspects called to a third black male. He was heavyset and wearing a black mask. Police say he pointed a shotgun at the victim's head. The victim believes a fourth suspect was acting as a getaway driver.

All four suspects fled the scene in a gold four-door sedan.

"Our advice is just to give up what it is they're looking for," said Mechanicsburg Police Sgt. Brian Curtis. "Obviously, your personal safety is much more important than anything you might have."

About 13 minutes later, a female victim reported a similar robbery in nearby Hampden Township.

Police there say the victim was in her car in the 4600 block of East Trindle Road when three black males approached her. She was ordered out of her car. One suspect was holding a long barrel shotgun.  She gave the men her purse.  They fled to a car waiting nearby. 

Police don't know why those two areas were targeted.

"No understanding of why that was done - why that area, why that time of night," Curtis said.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call Mechanicsburg Police at 691-3300 or Hampden Township Police at 761-2609.

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