MANCHESTER - Two Crosstown Variety Stores on the city's West Side were robbed over the weekend by a man brandishing a large knife.

The first robbery happened about 11 p.m. Saturday at the 270 Amory St. convenience store. The 26-year-old clerk told police a man came into the store brandishing a knife with a long silver blade and demanded money. He gave him cash and coins from the register and the man ran out with the money, grabbing two cartons of Marlboro cigarettes from a display as he fled.

The robber is described as a 5-foot-9, white man in his late teens or early 20s. He was wearing a dark green winter jacket over a dark blue, hooded sweatshirt, dark blue jeans, black gloves and black sneakers with white trim around the soles. He covered his face with a blue bandanna.

On Sunday, about 7 p.m., Crosstown Variety located at 77 Bremer St. was robbed by a man brandishing a large hunting knife. The 39-year-old clerk told police a man entered the store waving the knife and demanding cash. The clerk handed over the cash from the register and the robber fled the store, getting into the passenger side of a large tan truck and drove off on Bremer Street.

The robber is described as a white man, about 5-foot-8 wearing a light gray, hooded sweatshirt and white sneakers with black laces. He had a light gray flannel scarf over his face.

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call police at 668-8711. Anonymous tips for cash rewards may be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or online at manchestercrimeline.org .