Cops name ‘Big Nose’ suspect

Police believe man stole from 3 banks in Newport, more than 20 in Southern Calif. since June 2.Police on Tuesday released the identity of the man believed to be the “Big Nose Bandit.”

Amir Hossein Saadat, 28, is believed to have robbed more than 20 banks in Southern California since June 2, including three in Newport Beach, police said.

Police are offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Saadat.

He is a serial bank robber and is armed and dangerous, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Newport Beach police received a call from someone who said they recognized the person in published surveillance photos taken during an Oct. 20 robbery at a Newport Coast bank, Hartford said.

During each bank robbery, the Big Nose Bandit followed a similar pattern. He approached the teller, removed a note demanding cash from a zippered bag and displayed a handgun, police said.

Saadat allegedly robbed a US Bank branch inside a Newport Coast Pavilions market Oct. 20, police said. He reportedly robbed a Corona del Mar Bank of America in July and a Union Bank on Westcliff Drive in June, they added.

The Big Nose Bandit robberies began in June in Los Angeles. Since then, he’s moved to Orange County, officials said.

The most recent robberies occurred over the weekend in San Diego and in Irvine, police said.

Police served a search warrant at a residence in Los Angeles’ South Bay, where Saadat was believed to be living, and said they found evidence that links him to several bank robberies, Hartford said.

Saadat is described by police as being 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighing 170 lbs.

Anyone with information about Saadat or his whereabouts should call the Newport Beach Police Department at 1-800-550-NBPD, or the FBI at (714) 542-8825.