Wachovia bank on Harbor robbed Monday morning

Police are searching for a man who robbed a Wachovia bank Monday morning in Costa Mesa and threatened a teller with a gun, authorities said Tuesday.

About 10:43 a.m., the robber walked into the Wachovia bank, 2300 Harbor Blvd., and approached a bank teller with a note that read, “I have a gun. Give me all your large, no bait,” a reference to the bait money tellers carry, said FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

Authorities describe the robber as a 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11 man with light complexion, light-colored hair and weighing 160 to 170 pounds. He appeared unshaven, had a large green tattoo on his neck and wore a long-sleeved dark shirt and a khaki-colored fisherman-type hat, Eimiller said. The teller said he had something in his hand, but it was not clear what it was, officials said.

Police said he walked out of the bank eastbound on Wilson Street and was seen getting into a car. Police did not provide a description of the car. Between Jan. 1 and March 31, 30 banks have been robbed in Orange County, FBI officials said. Los Angeles County had 56 in the same period.

— Joseph Serna