Police suspect the same bandit in a pair of bank heists that occurred in Laguna Beach and Seal Beach last week.
The bank robbery is the first in Laguna Beach since a bandit committed a similar crime at Wells Fargo in 2014, police said.
A man with a silver revolver wearing a ski mask and dark gloves approached a Union Bank teller and demanded money about 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, Sgt. Tim Kleiser said.
After the robber received about $2,000, he fled on foot outside the front door of the Laguna Beach branch at 229 Broadway St., and across the four-lane road, Kleiser said. The bills were not marked with dye, the police log noted.
A little over an hour later, a masked gunman of a similar description robbed a Chase bank in Seal Beach, Kleiser said. The branches are about 30 miles apart.
The suspect may also be tied to two other Los Angeles bank robberies, Kleiser said.
The suspect was described as a male white, 6’3″ or 6″4″, wearing a dark colored long sleeve button up shirt with dark colored pants.
The case is being investigated by Laguna Beach detectives and the FBI.
Streetbeat
Monday, Oct. 24
Burglary. 100 block of Nyes Place. 9:15 a.m. A former employee is suspected in the theft of a silver Gucci bracelet, dishware other items.
Sexual battery. 28000 block Marguerite Pkwy. 5:48 p.m. A Mission Viejo woman reported a date assaulted her the night before in a Laguna Beach hotel room.
Theft. 400 block of S. Coast Hwy. 6 p.m. A bag with an Ipad and cash was stolen.
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Pedestrian stop. 30900 block of Coast Hwy. 3:45 p.m. Transient Beth Davis, 54, of Mission Viejo, was arrested for suspicion of burglary and battery of a police officer when she tried to flee a store and steal a bottle of vodka.
Traffic collision. High Drive. 4:40 p.m. A 93-year-old man, strapped into his seat, was extricated after his vehicle rolled over. Police are investigating the cause of the single-vehicle collision.
Vehicle burglary. 31400 block of Monterey St. 5:42 p.m. About $6,000 worth of power tools were stolen.
Fraud. 1700 block of S. Coast Hwy. 6:21 p.m. Some intercepted mail and used a credit card without authorization.
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Grand theft. 100 block of S. Coast Hwy. 9 a.m. A painting stolen from a gallery was recovered.
Stolen vehicle. 3200 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 10:11 a.m. An inoperable scooter valued at $50 and used for display was taken.
Thursday, Oct. 27
Burglary. 1200 block of Glenneyre St. 8:30 a.m. Thieves opened a closed garage and made off with a purse left in the car inside. $600 in credit card charges had already been made.
Fraud. 400 block of Nyes Pl. 1:51 p.m. A resident reports receiving a $349 bill for a Direct TV account he didn’t open.
Traffic collision. Pinecrest Drive. 10:51 a.m. A car driven by a motorist who unintentionally hit the accelerator collided with a mailbox and tree and rolled over. The driver was uninjured, but taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Disturbance. 400 block of S. Coast Hwy. 8:14 p.m. A Playa del Rey couple making a disturbance refused to leave a hotel when police attempted to evict them and both were arrested for resisting arrest.
Traffic stop. 200 block of Beach St. 10:25 p.m. A 41-year-old Carlsbad man was cited for DUI.
Pedestrian stop. Brooks Street and Coast Highway. 11:21 p.m. A 16-year-old Laguna Beach boy was detained for a curfew violation.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Traffic stop. Ruby Street. 1:45 a.m. A 54-year-old Aliso Viejo woman was cited for FUI.
Traffic stop. Crown Valley. 2 a.m. A 31-year-old Laguna Niguel man was cited for DUI.
Traffic stop. Third Avenue. 3:24 a.m. Matthew Russell Kundrat, 20, of Anaheim, was arrested for suspicion of felony possession, sales and transportation of methamphetamine as well as driving on a suspended license.
Fire. 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 5:34 a.m. A passerby helped put out a sidewalk fire near the dog park. The person who ignited it could not be located.
Fraud. 200 block of Cozumel. A woman received a $3,350 check that turned out to be counterfeit in payment for work.
Sunday, Oct. 30
Traffic stop. Donna Drive and Park Ave. 1:30 a.m. Four juveniles were detained and later released to a responsible adult.
