LAUREL, Md. - Laurel City Police confirm robbers who targeted an armored car at an area bank are still on the loose and heavily armed with what appeared to be military-style automatic weapons.

It happened in the 300 block of Montrose Avenue around 10:35 a.m. when a Loomis armored car currier was in the process of transferring cash, about $200,000, into the Bank of America at the Laurel Shopping Center. According to police, the driver was approached by three or four masked gunmen carrying what were thought to be M16s.

"As soon as I came around [the] corner...boom, boom, boom," said witness Delshawn Grabisch. "I heard probably five or six shots go down."

The alleged robbers then jumped into a Jeep Liberty with the money, fleeing the scene. The armored car currier then fire shots at the jeep, blasting out the back window of the getaway car. Police do not believe the suspects were hit.

Police say the suspects then dumped the Jeep Liberty after about a half a mile and got into a black Cadillac Escalade SUV. It is believed that that vehicle was either operated by a getaway driver or was planted so the robbers could make their getaway, with what sources report was $200,000.

At this hour, there are helicopters scouring the area, but the suspects have not been located, police say.

"This was a thought-out armed robbery," noted Laurel Police Spokesman Jim Collins. "[They were]  heavily armed and ready for anything."

No one was shot or injured in the attack, police confirm. What did take a hit, however, is the sense of security in the Laurel Shopping Center. "Scary to be around these [days]," said one witness.

ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 crews are on the scene; stay with wjla.com/news8.net for more information as it becomes available.