El Centro Police are investigating an armed robbery reported Monday afternoon.

Police were notified of the crime shortly after 4:00 p.m. when a guest at a motel in the 600 block of Adams Avenue reported hearing a disturbance and possibly a gunshot from a nearby room. On arrival, police were able to determine that a man was confronted by a suspect and pistol-whipped. The thief also fired a 9mm round into the ceiling of the room and then made off with $40.00 from the victim. The suspect then fled the scene. The investigation is continuing.