An Ames gas station was robbed by an armed man early Sunday morning – the incident was the second of its type in less than two weeks.

The alleged armed robber, described as a 5-foot 10-inch black male in his early 20s, struck the Fuel Right gas station, 4510 Mortensen Road, at 3:46 a.m. Sunday, according to a Story County Sheriff’s Office press release. The station is open 24 hours a day. The man, who was wearing a black hood and a face mask during the robbery, displayed what appeared to be a pistol.

A man fitting a similar description robbed the McDonald’s at 3621 Lincoln Way on Nov. 15. In both incidents, the gunman left the area on foot with an undisclosed sum of money. There have been nine robberies in Ames in 2005.

“We don’t know if there is a connection at this time,” said Ames Police Cmdr. Randy Kessel.

Kessel said the incidents appear similar because of the suspect descriptions and the apparent use of a handgun in both robberies.

“But that’s the only correlation we have between the two,” he added.

According to section 711.2 of the Iowa Code, a person can be charged with first degree robbery if he or she is armed with a dangerous weapon during the incident, regardless of whether or not it was used.

First degree robbery is a class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

“We’re certainly following up investigatory leads that we do have, but we have not made any arrests at this time,” Kessel said.

The station has since re-opened for business.