An organized band of smash-and-grab thieves on Sunday stole armfuls of merchandise from the downtown D.C. Chanel store, the second time this year the high-end City Center retailer has been hit.

Second District Commander Tatjana Savoy said an armed security guard shot at the robbers during the chaotic heist that took place around 6 p.m. in the 900 block of I Street Northwest.

No one was hit by the single shot fired by the armed guard nor was there any property damage observed by the lone bullet. The guard is contracted by Chanel and not an employee of the city, according to police.

Cmdr. Savoy said the thieves used a fire extinguisher to fog up the inside of the store and begin clearing out merchandise.

Authorities said the suspects fled in a white sedan. The police commander said detectives are combing through surveillance data to see if they can locate the suspects.

The Chanel store was robbed in February when a group of juveniles stormed the entrance and set off a smoke bomb before making off with thousands in goods.

The incident motivated Chanel to enforce a strict entry and exit policy that had customers lining up outside the store before security guards unlocked the doors for people one at a time.

Chanel maintained that entry/exit policy for months after February’s robbery. It’s unclear if that policy was still in place during Sunday’s heist.

The Washington Times has reached out to Chanel for comment.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.