Authorities believe two Clackamas County robberies committed Thursday morning may be connected to other robberies in the Portland metro area.

The first robbery Thursday occurred at the Plaid Pantry, located at 10177 SE Sunnyside Road. Minutes later, a nearby Denny's Restaurant, located at 15815 SE 82nd Drive, was also robbed.

At 2:55 a.m., a man entered the Plaid Pantry and simulated a handgun while demanding cash, according to Clackamas County Sheriff's detective Jim Strovink. The suspect was described as a white man in his late 20s to early 30s standing about 6 feet tall with a thin build, and medium length brown hair with slight sideburns.

He was wearing a dark blue zipper type hooded sweatshirt with white or cream coloring at the waist, khaki trousers, brown shoes and a black baseball cap with red and white lettering.

At 3:04 a.m., a suspect matching the same description entered Dennys and appeared to have a handgun concealed in his clothing while demanding money from the attendant. He fled on foot.

Clackamas County Sheriff's investigators are aware of a series of prior robberies with a similar method of operation and suspect description, and Portland are investigating.

Anyone with information on the suspect's identity is asked to call the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office tip line at (503) 723-4949.