Two businesses in Butte and Whitehall were robbed Monday night.

Authorities believe the two armed robberies, which occurred within 30 minutes of each other, may be related and are looking for a male suspect.

Just before 11 p.m. Monday, Butte police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Thriftway store at 1900 South Montana Street next to Interstate 90.

The clerk at the Thriftway told police a man entered the store, brandished a dark colored handgun, which police believe was a semi-automatic. The man reportedly pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded money.  The clerk reportedly gave the man less than $50. The robber then demanded the clerk open the safe, but the clerk said he did not have access to the safe, police said.

The suspect then left the store and was last seen walking south behind the store.

The suspect is described as a young, white male of slender build, standing about 5’9” or 5’10”. He is also described as clean cut and was wearing a camouflage baseball hat, blue jacket and black sunglasses.

About 30 minutes later, an armed robbery was reported at a Town Pump in Whitehall.

Butte authorities are also looking into a recent armed robbery in Bozeman to see if there are similarities between these incidents.

Anyone with information  is asked to call police at 497-1120 or Crimestoppers at 782-7336.