HACIENDA HEIGHTS — Two gas stations within a mile of each other were robbed within a span of about five minutes Friday, and detectives were looking into whether the same suspects were involved.

The first of the robberies was reported about 2:15 p.m. at an Arco gas station at Hacienda Boulevard and Three Palms Street, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Arthur Scott said.

A robber entered the store and acted as if he was going to buy a soda and a pack of cigarettes when he lifted his shirt to display a black handgun and demanded cash from the register, the lieutenant said. After obtaining several hundred dollars, the robber fled.

Deputies described him as a Latino man, 25 to 30 years old, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He wore a black T-shirt, tan pants and sunglasses.

About five minutes later, a second robbery was reported just under a mile to the north at a Chevron Station at Hacienda Boulevard and Tetley Street, Scott said.

A man pretended he was going to buy a bottle of water and a pack of cigarettes prior to the crime, the lieutenant said.

“When the employee opened the (cash) drawer to assist another customer, he grabbed the money and ran out the door,” Scott said.

He was spotted getting into a white, newer-model, Toyota Camry with paper license plates and a waiting getaway driver, Scott added.

Officials described the robber in the second crime as Latino, 30 to 35 years old, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He had black hair and brown eyes, and wore blue jeans a blue shirt.

Anyone with information was asked to call the sheriff’s Industry Station at 626-330-3322.