Robbery suspect slashes own throat

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A bank robbery suspect, cornered by police in Irvine, Calif., Monday, apparently used a box cutter to slash his own throat, officials said.

Police received a report that a man in his 20s was robbing a Washington Mutual branch in Anaheim, Calif., shortly after noon, the Los Angeles Times reported. The man fled the bank scene in a beat-up sports car with a missing front bumper.

An undercover Anaheim detective spotted a car matching that description on Interstate 5 and called for backup; police from several different agencies responded, the newspaper said.

Police tried to stop the car as it approached Irvine and the suspect pulled off the freeway. After the car came to a stop, the suspect apparently used a box cutter to slash both sides of his neck. He was rushed bleeding to a hospital, police said.

Officers found cash but no weapon inside the vehicle, the Times said. The man apparently had simulated a weapon during the robbery.

Police told the Times the man's condition was unknown.