Man stabbed in one of 2 robberies outside Irvine banks

In less than half an hour Wednesday evening, a man was stabbed in a hand and a woman was shoved during two robberies in Irvine.

Both attacks occurred outside banks about half a mile from each other, but investigators said they’re unsure whether they are connected.

Irvine police learned of the first robbery about 6:50 p.m. when a woman reported that someone had pushed her from behind in the parking lot of the U.S. Bank at 4180 Barranca Parkway, taking a bank bag filled with paperwork. The robber then fled, police said.

About 25 minutes later, police received a call about a violent confrontation at a Wells Fargo Bank at 4850 Barranca Parkway. A man told police he was using the drive-through ATM when a man wearing a dark mask approached and threatened to kill him.

Police said the robber stabbed the man’s hand with a knife and took off with cash.

The victim drove to a nearby hospital for treatment, authorities said.

Police said the suspect in the second robbery was described as 20 years old, white, about 5 feet 10 inches tall with light-colored eyes and shaggy, dirty-blond hair. He wore a dark, hooded jacket and a mask covering his nose and mouth.

No description of a suspect was available from the first robbery.

Police asked that anyone with information about either crime call (949) 724-7207.

According to statistics from the FBI, Irvine police responded to 38 robberies in 2013.