A man was shot and a woman assaulted in the daytime robbery of a card store located at 224 Old Country Road on Tuesday afternoon.

According to police reports, two black males entered the rear of the store and demanded money from the owner. The two armed men then hit and shot the 49-year-old man. A store clerk was subsequently punched when she came to aid the owner.

The assailants stole an undisclosed amount of US currency from the cash register and fled in a dark colored car similar to aNissan Maxima. The vehicle was seen heading west on Old Country Road.

Police believe that the incident is connected to a string of 13 other robberies that have taken place since mid-June in the communities of Valley Stream, New Hyde Park, Woodmere, North Lawrence and Mineola. According to Det. Sgt. Gary Schriffen, commanding officer of the robbery squad, this is the first time that someone was shot in one of these robberies.

"We have had shots fired in the other incidents and we have had victims smacked around by the individuals in several of the incidents causing contusions and lacerations to the head," said Schriffen.

The first suspect is described as a 5' 7" - 6' thin male with a dark complexion, 25-28 years of age, and armed with a handgun. The second suspect is 5' 7" - 5' 8", has a medium complexion, and was wearing a green hat and a black short sleeve shirt.

The owner of the card store was transported to Nassau County Medical Center for a gunshot wound to the lower stomach. The injury was not considered life-threatening and he was released later that evening.

Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this crime to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.