-- S.J. Cahn
Two Costa Mesa banks were hit by robbers Friday morning in separate
incidents that, police say, are not related.
In the first robbery, a knife-wielding man wearing a black ski mask
entered a credit union in the 2700 block of Harbor Boulevard about 9:45
a.m. and ordered the customers to the ground, police said.
Once they were on the floor, the man leaped the counter, grabbed an
unknown amount of money, and then leaped back over before rushing out of
the building, police added.
A witness outside the credit union saw the man get into a light-blue
compact car, authorities said.
It is unknown how much money he made off with.
Police describe the man as between 5 feet 11 and 6 feet 3, of average
build and about 25 to 30 years old. He was wearing a brown plaid shirt
and black pants.
The second robbery happened 45 minutes later, about 10:30 a.m., at a bank in the 500 block of West 19th Street.
Again, police say, a man made off with an unknown amount of cash after
handing a teller a note announcing he was holding up the bank.
The second robber is described as African American, in his late 20s,
of average build and wearing a dark jacket, white and red baseball cap
and baggy pants.
No escape vehicle was seen or heard in this incident.
Police ask that anyone with information call the Costa Mesa Police
Department at (714) 754-5281.
