SHERIDAN — Authorities on Wednesday night were still searching for at least two, possibly three, suspects who hours before robbed a Lakewood bank and kicked off a crime spree that spanned several miles and left two people shot.

Police say they arrested one man in the rampage, which included a carjacking and left hundreds of students sheltering in place for hours as officers in tactical gear scoured a large perimeter.

“We have just numerous criminal offenses that have taken place,” said Lakewood police spokesman Steve Davis.

The FBI believes the men are the same ones who on Sept. 30 held up another Lakewood bank while wearing masks from the movie “Scream.” Federal agents say the same masks were donned during Wednesday’s robbery.

“Both (robberies) were very violent,” said Deborah Sherman, spokeswoman for the FBI’s Denver office.

Investigators say the fugitives are probably armed and desperate.

Both shooting victims, bystanders, were expected to survive, police say. A third person, assaulted by the suspects, also was expected to recover.

The wild string of events began about 11 a.m., when the men, brandishing guns, robbed FirstBank in the 1900 block of South Kipling Parkway. During the heist, employees were forced into a vault, officials said.

The suspects then fled in an SUV before abandoning the vehicle in the 3200 block of South Vance Street. From there, the group ran about a quarter-mile to the 6800 block of Eldorado Place, where they shot a man outside his home and stole his van.

Another man, David Svoboda, and his wife were walking his dogs on Eldorado when he heard three gunshots.

“I told my wife to hide behind a tree with me,” Svoboda said. “We didn’t know what was going on, but we saw a white van go cruising by after.”

Svoboda said the shot man, a neighbor of his, crawled to help.

“He was retired,” Svoboda said. “He was a real nice guy. We would walk our dogs together.”

Police say the suspects drove the van east for roughly 3 miles then ditched it near Sheridan High School, where they got out and shot — without provocation — a second person.

The suspects also assaulted a bystander, authorities say.

On Wednesday night, Sheridan Schools Superintendent Michael Clough announced that all schools would be closed Thursday because of the incident and because the suspects remained at large.

Mental health professionals will be available when school resumes Friday for any students or staffers who request assistance.

Jose Guillen was working at a construction site near the high school when that shooting occurred. He saw police vehicles rush toward the scene.

“They were flying,” he said.

The suspects disappeared into the dense housing around the school, leaving a trail of evidence — including money — in their wake.

Law enforcement agencies from throughout the Denver area spread out for hours around Sheridan High. SWAT members from Jefferson and Arapahoe counties were carrying assault-style and sniper rifles during their search.

By nightfall, however, the efforts of more than 100 officers turned up nothing.

“At this point, we’re assuming they are all armed,” Sheridan Police Chief Mark Campbell said. “We’re searching buildings, securing evidence at crime scenes. This is a fluid, moving investigation, and we’re getting new information all the time.”

Authorities have not identified the man arrested and said he was not immediately cooperating with detectives.

Troy Holm, who lives on the block where the first man was shot, was glad to hear his neighbor was expected to survive.

“It’s kind of shocking,” he said. “It’s a very peaceful place.”

Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or @kirkmitchell or denverpost.com/coldcases