Man robs reverend at church

Newport Beach police on Tuesday were asking the public for information about a man who robbed a reverend at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Rev. Patrick Doherty told police the robber rang the doorbell to the rectory at about 8 p.m. Friday. When Doherty opened the door, the robber said he had a gun and demanded money. The robber threatened to kill him if he called police, Doherty said.

The reverend gave the man an unknown amount of money from his pockets and from the church’s safe.

“We are concerned,” Newport Beach Police Sgt. Bill Hartford said. “If he robbed a reverend at a church, I think he would not hesitate to try to rob someone else.”

Doherty said the robber was about 28, had two-tone bleached blond hair and was about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and about 150 pounds.

The robber fled on foot from the church at 1441 W. Balboa Ave.

Hartford said he can’t recall the last time a church in the city was robbed in the same manner.

Anyone with information about the robber is asked to call Det. Keith Krallman at (949) 644-3797. Callers may leave information anonymously.