Officer on Leave After Shooting Suspected Bank Robbers (Updated)

Photo: PGPDNews on Twitter

UPDATED at 6 p.m.

Prince George’s County Police report an officer shot and injured two armed suspects Tuesday morning who investigators believe planned to rob a bank.

The incident happened in the parking lot of a Giant grocery store at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Crain Highway, according to PGPDNews on Twitter.

Police believe the two armed suspects, who had gloves in a stolen car, came to the shopping center to rob the SunTrust bank.

The department’s auto theft unit found the stolen Mustang on Crain Highway this morning, with the suspects inside, leading to the confrontation.

The Baltimore Police Department had alerted Prince George’s officers that the car had been stolen. One detective approached the car that had two armed suspects inside and ordered a suspect not to touch the weapon. Police say the officer feared for his life and for bystanders, so he fired his service weapon, striking both suspects.

Both suspects were taken to the hospital, where one is being treated for a superficial wound. The second suspect has been admitted with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Neither police officer was injured; their names have not been released.

Both suspects have been identified. Authorities say they will release their names once charges are filed.

The officer who discharged his duty weapon is a four-year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department with 12 years experience before that at a neighboring law enforcement agency. He has been placed on routine administrative leave pending the outcome of the internal investigation.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) at (301)772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com to submit a tip online.

This is a breaking news post. We’ll update as information becomes available.