The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an armed robbery that occurred Sunday night in Gray at the Big Apple on Portland Road.

The clerk told police an unidentified white male entered the store around 9:45 p.m. with a scarf over his face, holding a long rifle. The man allegedly approached the counter demanding money, then walked behind the counter and took cash from the register.

The suspect was described as between 5 feet, 8 inches and 5 feet, 10 inches tall, wearing a brown-knit cap, a blue jacket, dark pants and dark shoes.

Capt. Dave Williams of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office said the convenience store has been robbed before, “but not with the use of weapon.”

In January 2007, a woman wearing a mask entered the store and demanded money. The woman, who never displayed a weapon, made off with less than $100.

Williams said detectives were following leads and knocking on doors in the area around the store Monday night. The Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone with information on the robbery call Detective Dan Down at (207) 774-1444, ext. 2124.

About 10 hours later on Monday morning, another robbery occurred at the Old Port Pharmacy in Portland. This time, a man in a Tyvek disposable suit wielding a sharp weapon stole drugs. Monday afternoon, Portland police arrested Patrick Morency, 24, of Portland, in connection with that crime.

Sgt. Troy Bowden of the Portland police said there was no reason to believe the two robberies were connected.