Newport Beach bank robber ditches cash, gun while on the run

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- Newport Beach police are asking for the public's help to catch a robber who held up a Union Bank on Halloween.

Authorities say the suspect entered the branch on the 2800 block of East Coast Highway Friday afternoon. He flashed a firearm at a teller and demanded cash. Police say he took the money and fled the bank on foot.

At the time of the heist, the suspect was carrying a black backpack and wearing a beige long-sleeve shirt and a baseball cap. Police say he later ditched the bag of money, along with his clothes and gun.

No one was hurt.

If you have any information about this incident, you're urged to contact the Newport Beach Police Department's tip hotline at (800) 550-NBPD.