Man thought to be ‘Big Nose’ arrested

Police arrest man, suspected of robbing more than 20 banks in Southern California, at Costa Mesa motel.Police arrested the man believed to be the “Big Nose Bandit” early Friday in a Costa Mesa motel.

Amir Hossein Saadat, 28, was arrested at the Vagabond Motel in the 3200 block of Harbor Avenue. He had been staying there with his father, Hosseinali Saadat, 57, police said.

Amir Hossein Saadat is being held at the Santa Ana city jail. Amir Hossein Saadat’s father was arrested on suspicion of being an accessory to a crime and is being held on $250,000 bail at Orange County Jail.

“There was information that he was attempting to conceal his son,” said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Bill Hartford, of the father’s arrest.

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

Police recovered evidence in the motel room that may link Saadat to several of the robberies, Hartford said.

Newport Beach police learned Amir Hossein Saadat’s name after they received a call from someone who recognized the person in published surveillance photos taken during an Oct. 20 robbery at a Newport Coast bank.

Investigators’ work led them to the Costa Mesa motel where the Saadats were arrested, Hartford said.

At 12:30 a.m. Friday, police saw Amir Hossein Saadat’s father leave a motel room. Amir Hossein Saadat’s father confirmed to police that his son was in the room.

Police called the motel room and identified themselves; Amir Hossein Saadat surrendered peacefully, 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.

Amir Hossein Saadat is accused of robbing 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, police said.

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