NEWPORT BEACH : Suspect Arrested in $5,000 Bank Holdup
A man wearing a wig and false beard robbed a bank of more than $5,000 Friday but was arrested a few minutes later while trying to escape, police said.
A suspect, identified as Chris Edward Franken, 35, of Gold Beach, Ore., is alleged to have entered First Interstate Bank at 3141 E. Coast Highway at about 3:30 p.m. He handed a note to a teller demanding money and fled with $5,200, Police Lt. Mike Jackson said.
There was no sign of a weapon.
The teller told police that the suspect wore a dark brown wig and false beard.
Officer Rochell Maier noticed the suspect driving north on MacArthur Boulevard in a 1986 Toyota station wagon.
Maier stopped the vehicle and arrested Franken said.
Franken was being held in Newport Beach Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.