Alleged Bank Robber Surrenders to Police

In an apparent attack of remorse, an alleged bank robber turned himself in to police Friday--and turned over most of the money he said he stole, Police Sgt. Mike McDermott said.

Adam Patrick Jarvis, 24, of Newport Beach was being held at Newport Beach Jail on suspicion of robbery but then was released to the custody of the FBI, police said. FBI agents want to see if Jarvis is linked to another robbery at the same bank in November 1997, McDermott said.

Jarvis walked into the police station and confessed to the front desk clerk at 3:30 a.m., 12 hours after the robbery, McDermott said. Jarvis brought along the $4,000 to $5,000 that he allegedly stole Thursday at 3 p.m. from the Bank of America in the 3400 block of Newport Boulevard.

According to the police, Jarvis said he returned all of the money except for $129 he had spent on clothes. He even provided a receipt for the clothes. The serial numbers on the returned money matched those recorded by bank officials, police said.

“Apparently, he had an attack of conscience or remorse,” McDermott said.

Jarvis listed his occupation as a drug rehabilitation counselor.

He had presented the bank teller with “a poorly spelled note” that said he had a gun. After receiving the money, he fled on foot, officials said.

Tellers described him as “looking like a surfer.”