Armed robbery reported at the U.S. Bank on Carmel Rancho Lane in Carmel.

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

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

One of the suspects was reported to be armed with a handgun, and the suspects were seen fleeing in a gray-colored Honda Civic, or similar type vehicle, with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was hurt during the robbery, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

“At this point, we have not received any further information that clarifies direction of travel or a license plate,” Commander Andy Rosas says.

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

“There's a lot of cars out there that have in-car cameras. What we're hoping is that anybody that was in that area, go back and check your cameras and see if you've got anything that shows a vehicle, maybe other people that were involved, the license plate,” Rosas says. “With the advancements in technology, we know there's cameras out there. Somebody had to capture something.”

The U.S. Bank branch is situated in a heavily trafficked area between two other banks—Chase Bank and Fremont Bank—as well as next to a couple of thrift stores, and adjacent 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 located at 1400 Munras Ave. in Monterey.

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

“When I went outside I just remember seeing the FBI and Sheriff’s officers everywhere; it was like something out of a movie,” says Pamela, who works nearby and would speak only using her first name. “This stuff never happens here.”

Anyone with information about the robbery can reach out 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 something to call Detective Rodrigo Lopez at 253-6050 or Detective Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at 597-1228.