CHESTERFIELD, Va. – In broad daylight, with customers inside, two men attempted to rob a post office.

The crime happened around 4 p.m. Tuesday, at the Ampthill Branch in Chesterfield, off Meadowdale.

The U.S postal inspector said the men had a semi-automatic weapon when they demanded cash from clerks inside.

Witness said that men appeared to have black paint on their face and were seen driving away in a dark green SUV or large pick-up truck.

The postal inspector says crimes like this are rare.

“We take it very seriously,” he emphasized.

Even attempting to rob a post office is a federal crime. If caught, the two men face up to 20 years in prison. If you know anything about what happened call police at (804) 780-1000.