On a rainy afternoon during a normally busy time of day, the U.S. Bank on Carmel Rancho Lane in Carmel was robbed.

It was approximately 3:35 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 16, when Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report that three suspects, believed to be all men, had just robbed the bank, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office .

One of the suspects was reportedly armed with a handgun and the suspects were seen fleeing in a gray Honda Civic or similar vehicle with an undisclosed amount of money. According to the sheriff’s office, no one was injured during the robbery.

“At this point we have not received any further information clarifying the direction of travel or a license plate number,” said Commander Andy Rosas.

He added that because the incident occurred during a busy time at the mall, he hopes it will lead to more information about the suspects as the investigation continues.

“There are many cars that have built-in cameras. We hope that anyone who was in the area will go back and check your cameras and see if you have anything that shows a vehicle, maybe other people involved, the license plate,” Rosas said. “With advances in technology, we know that cameras exist. Someone had to catch something.”

The US Bank branch is located in a busy area between two other banks – Chase Bank and Fremont Bank – as well as next to a few thrift stores and next to Carmel Stone Imports. A sign on the front of the door reads, “This U.S. Bank is temporarily closed and will reopen soon.” The nearest U.S. Bank is at 1400 Munras Ave. in Monterey.

In October 2021, another bank robbery occurred at the Chase Bank next door, according to multiple news sources at the time and local workers at neighboring stores.

“When I walked outside, I just remember seeing FBI and sheriff’s officers everywhere; “It was like something out of a movie,” said Pamela, who works nearby and only goes by her first name. “Nothing like that ever happens here.”

Anyone with information about the robbery can report anonymously. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident and may have seen anything to call Detective Rodrigo Lopez at 253-6050 or Detective Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at 597-1228.