Robbers hit two banks in unrelated heists

Greg Risling

Thieves apparently were fully aware that banks were open during the

holiday weekend as two unrelated robberies occurred within hours of one

another Friday in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

Two men made off with more than $8,200 from a California Federal Bank

branch in Costa Mesa, and another man waited 20 minutes at a Wells Fargo

in Newport Beach before making his move.

The first robbery occurred shortly before 11 a.m. when two men ran inside

the California Federal branch in the 2700 block of Harbor Boulevard. The

robbers jumped the teller counter and demanded that everyone lie on the

floor. Authorities said no weapon was seen.

Everyone in the bank complied with the robbers while they took money out

of the drawers. No one was injured.

The men ran out the front door and sped away in a red 1995 Plymouth

sedan. The car was later found abandoned a block away. The vehicle was

reported stolen from Los Angeles, although the license plates were from

Arizona, authorities said.

The robbers were described as African American men in their mid to late

20s, and both were wearing black beanie caps. One of the robbers is

described as medium height and weight and last seen wearing a dark

T-shirt and baggy jeans. His accomplice had a similar description and was

last seen wearing a dark plaid T-shirt and dark pants.

The second heist happened about 1:30 p.m. in the 2700 block of West Coast

Highway. Police said the robber was seen chatting on his cellular phone

for about 20 minutes before he walked up to a teller and demanded an

undisclosed amount of money. No weapon was used, and no one was injured.

The robber fled on foot toward Newport Heights. He is described as white

in his mid 30s and about 5 feet 10 with a thin build. He was last seen

wearing a blue T-shirt, dark pants and a black baseball cap.