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Laurel police, Prince George's County police, and the FBI are currently investigating an armed bank robbery that occurred at 10:35 a.m. on Wednesday at the Bank of America branch in the Laurel Shopping Center, located at 344 Montrose Ave.

Laurel police received a call for an armed robbery at the bank, but when they arrived they discovered a Loomis armored car was the subject of the robbery, said James Collins, Laurel public information officer.

Collins said three or four men in dark clothing wearing masks and armed with automatic and assault weapons arrived in a blue Jeep and robbed the Loomis vehicle as it was transferring money into the bank. One suspect was armed with an M-16 assault rife.

After stealing a bag of money, the suspects fled and fired at the officer in the car. The officer returned fire, shooting out the Jeep's window.

Collins said the amount of money stolen has not been released.

The suspects drove to 800 block of 8th street, abandoned their Jeep, and entered a black SUV before fleeing the area.

The suspects are still at-large.

Collins said the Jeep was stolen from Howard County earlier this morning.

"Shots fired with a handgun is one thing," Collins said. "But with an automatic rifle they can go anywhere. We're fortunate and lucky no one was killed."

The bank is currently closed.

The robbery occurred almost two weeks after three men robbed a Bank of America branch in Howard County on Nov. 20, leading to a police chase through Laurel and parts of Anne Arundel, Prince George's and Montgomery counties. One of the suspects was shot and killed by police, one was arrested and the search for the third suspect is ongoing.

E-mail Timmy Gelles at tgelles@gazette.net.