An organized band of smash-and-grab thieves on Sunday stole armfuls of merchandise from the downtown D.C. Chanel retailer, the second time this 12 months the high-end Metropolis Middle retailer has been hit.

Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy stated an armed safety guard shot on the robbers in the course of the chaotic heist that happened round 6 p.m. within the 900 block of I Avenue Northwest.

Nobody was hit by the one shot fired by the armed guard nor was there any property injury noticed by the lone bullet. The guard is contracted by Chanel and never an worker of the town, in accordance with police.

Cmdr. Savoy stated the thieves used a hearth extinguisher to fog up the within of the shop and start clearing out merchandise.

Authorities stated the suspects fled in a white sedan. The police commander stated detectives are combing by surveillance information to see if they will find the suspects.

The Chanel retailer was robbed in February when a gaggle of juveniles stormed the doorway and set off a smoke bomb earlier than making off with 1000’s in items.

The incident motivated Chanel to implement a strict entry and exit coverage that had clients lining up outdoors the shop earlier than safety guards unlocked the doorways for folks one after the other.

Chanel maintained that entry/exit coverage for months after February’s theft. It’s unclear if that coverage was nonetheless in place throughout Sunday’s heist.

The Washington Instances has reached out to Chanel for remark.