DOVER — City police said a combined five suspects are sought after two apparently unrelated robberies committed within six hours of each other on Saturday.

The first alleged incident came at 4:07 p.m. when two unknown suspects fled a Macy’s store with stolen merchandise, according to the Dover Police Department.

A loss prevention employee suffered minor injuries when struck with a fist as the suspects were leaving the business at 1365 N. DuPont Highway, spokesman Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman said. The employee was attempting to contact the suspects as they exited, authorities said.

Police released a photo of surveillance video showing a person they said allegedly punched the employee. The second suspect was described as a black male about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, wearing a black and white jacket.

The second alleged incident at 9:54 p.m. involved a pizza delivery person who was robbed while delivering food to a home in the 200 block off North State Street, Cpl. Hoffman said.

Police said the female delivery person reportedly was approached by three black males after the delivery was made, and a demand for cash came from someone saying he had a gun. An undisclosed amount of money was turned over and the suspects departed in a maroon hatchback vehicle, according to authorities.

The person claiming to possess a gun was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with lettering, possibly in his late teens or early 20s, police said. No other suspect descriptions could be provided, Cpl. Hoffman said.

Police said both investigations are ongoing and asked anyone with information to call 736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous, police said.

Cpl. Hoffman said tips can be submitted to law enforcement through lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333, at www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover Police Department’s MyPD mobile app.

How to respond

In general terms, Dover Police said a person approached by someone implying or showing possession of a deadly weapon should comply with any demands while attempting to observe as many details as possible.

“The best advice we can give is to cooperate with their demands and be observant as possible without jeopardizing your own safety,” Cpl. Hoffman said.

“Try and remember things like clothing description, height, weight, race, vehicle make and model, and vehicle tag number. All of these things can help police search for the suspects faster and often with success.”

Businesses can safeguard themselves with “good lighting (interior and exterior), surveillance cameras, signage warning of surveillance and multiple employees,” said Cpl. Hoffman.

Regarding street robberies and those committed in public areas, Cpl. Hoffman said Dover Police had a 72 percent clearance rate in 2014 on robberies.

Available surveillance video can boost significantly the likelihood of a successful investigation, police said.

“It varies business to business, but when we can get surveillance it really helps us identify suspects and solidify our case when a warrant is obtained or arrest is made,” according to Cpl. Hoffman.