Police on St. Croix are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the McDonald’s Restaurant in Estate Golden Rock early Monday morning as the restaurant was closing.

According to detectives investigating the case, as employees were locking the business at 12:30 a.m., three masked men, two carrying weapons, entered the establishment and demanded money, which was turned over to them by employees.

The suspects ran into the parking lot, forced a man out of his pickup truck, and drove off in the stolen vehicle. As the suspects fled the parking lot, a police patrol unit entered the area, and the suspects opened fire on them.

The police returned fire.

During the chase, additional shots were exchanged between the suspects and police officers. The car chase ended near the water tank near Estate Sion Farm, where the disabled vehicle was abandoned by the suspects. Police searched for the suspects but were not able to locate them.

A black handgun was recovered from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken for processing by forensic technicians and to recover any evidence.

St. Croix Police Chief Christopher Howell, K-9 officers, Zone C Commander and officers, and officers from Internal Affairs, V.I. Port Authority and other law enforcement units were on the scene.

Police believe these suspects may be responsible for other robberies in the district and are urging anyone who has information regarding this or any other robbery to call the Criminal Investigation Bureau detectives at 712-6077, 712-6037 or the anonymous tip service, Crime Stoppers USVI, at 1-800-222-TIPS.