Police: Big Nose Bandit strikes again

Robber hits a bank in the 21100 block of Newport Coast Drive in Newport.The bank robber dubbed the “Big Nose Bandit” hit a US Bank branch inside a Newport Coast Pavilions market Thursday, police said.

The man entered the market at 4:46 p.m. in the 21100 block of Newport Coast Drive and passed a note to the bank teller, demanding cash. He then opened up a black bag, displaying a black pistol. The teller gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash, and the robber fled on foot. No one was injured, police said.

A bank teller reported the incident to police shortly after the robbery occurred, said Newport Police Sgt. Bill Hartford. Witnesses did not see the suspect leave in a vehicle.

Police believe this is the same man responsible for 17 bank robberies in Southern California. He reportedly robbed a Corona del Mar Bank of America in July and a Union Bank on Westcliff Drive in June, police said.

The Big Nose Bandit robberies began in June in Los Angeles. Since then, he’s moved down to Orange County, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

The man, described by police as either Middle Eastern or Latino, was wearing a black leather jacket, white shirt and dark-colored pants. He is approximately 27 to 35 years old; 5 feet, 10 inches tall; with a medium build.

Amormino said the bandit should be considered armed and dangerous.