Police search for man they say robbed Irvine grocery store

Irvine police and the FBI are searching for a Newport Beach man suspected of robbing the US Bank inside a Pavilions Market in Irvine on Wednesday.

According to authorities, a male suspect entered Pavilions, 3901 Portola Pkwy., and handed the teller a note asking for money. He did not speak, and there was no visible weapon. He fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Shortly after photos of the suspect were released, authorities received calls that led them to a suspect, Matthew David Lewis.

Lewis pleaded guilty to burglary in 2004, after which he spent 180 days in jail and was on probation for three years. He later pleaded guilty in 2005 for burglary and for receiving stolen property. He served two years in a state prison.

The suspect is described as 27 years old, 190 pounds, 6-feet, 7-inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes.

Authorities are hoping the public will use his vehicle information to facilitate his arrest.

Lewis drives a two-door, Mercedes CLK 350 with the license plate 6MRL472.

Anyone with information should contact Irvine police at (949) 724-7000.

—Joanna Clay