UPDATE (Monday, January 23, 2017): This story has been updated to reflect the proper name of the business, and the number of fire and ambulance personnel sent to the scene.

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Two robberies in less than 24 hours within a half mile of each other, one with apparent hate crime implications, have

Newtown Police seeking the public's assistance in their investigations.

For the second night in a row, a swarm of police vehicles and yellow crime tape lined a South Main Street business.

According to Police Chief James Viadero, at approximately 8:28 pm officers responded to 113 South Main, Rooster Wines & Liquors on a report of a robbery that just occurred.

Upon arrival officers observed that a fire was burning in the rear of the building, they entered and assisted the firefighters in extinguishing the fire with fire extinguishers. Due to the initial nature of the fire, which was described as a structure fire, all five of Newtown's companies were dispatched to the scene. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps was also dispatched to the scene. 

A proprietor of the store stated that two males entered, one requesting help in locating a product, at that time one brandishing a firearm walked him to the counter and took a large amount of cash from several night receipts.

The suspects fled toward the rear of the store, starting a fire before exiting a rear door, forcing the proprietor to flee through a front window which he smashed to exit.

Both were described as tall white males dressed in dark clothing.

Upon checking the premises and the surroundings area for a suspect, with the assistance of a State Police K9, officers observed a racial slur and two swastikas painted on the rear door of the establishment.

The proprietor indicated that the markings were not there before the incident, attributing the same to the suspects.

The Newtown Police Department Patrol Division and Detective Division are investigating the incident with assistance from the State Police Major Crime and Fire Marshall's Unit.

Chief Viadero told

The Newtown Bee that because of the racial slur and swastikas, federal authorities would be contacted and advised.

One night earlier, police were called to the Citgo gas station at 151 South Main Street after a report of a white and a black male brandished handguns. The otherwise unidentified pair escaped with an amount of cash, police say.

That incident Friday occurred at approximately 10:37 pm. No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to contact Newtown Police Department at 203-270-4236.

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