According to a news report earlier today, area police departments are looking for three men suspected of the armed robbery of an automotive store in Hopkinsville yesterday.

Law enforcement officials say four men armed with handguns robbed AC Automotive, on East 9th Street; one suspect was arrested and the other three are at large.

Police say the four suspects pistol-whipped two people during the robbery before the four men fled the scene in a red Ford Focus.

An Oak Grove police officer reported seeing the suspects and chasing the vehicle on I-24 East. The officer said the four left the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with the officer.

The officer said it appeared that no one was injured in the exchange.

Three of the men ran into the woods off of the highway near the Barkers Mill area. One was apprehended, according to media reports.

Law enforcement agencies from Clarksville, Nashville and Montgomery County were all assisting Kentucky police departments in their search for the men.

The area where they reportedly left their vehicle and exchanged shots with the officer was teeming with police officers and K-9 units from both Tennessee and Kentucky.

Nashville Metro sent a helicopter to help with the search, though their efforts were not successful as of the time this post was written.

The search operation shut down last night around 8:30.

The Clarksville Police Department and Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said they would continue to search and pursue the men as part of their daily patrols.

Source: businessclarksville.com:"Police seek three suspects after robbery and shootout," Jan. 31, 2012