Beaverton Police Say Suspect Used Bomb Threat to Rob Bank (PHOTOS)

Beaverton Police are asking for the public's help in locating the suspect named Robert Kuch, who reportedly stated he would not go back to prison alive.

Photos of suspect Robert Koch and photos of the bank robbery suspect, provided by Beaverton Police

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) - Beaverton Police say a man robbed a Chase Bank Wednesday by threatening a teller with a bomb. Detective Pam Yazzolino with Beaverton Police, says it happened inside the Fred Meyers at 11425 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in Beaverton Wednesday at 12:39 p.m. and informed the teller that he had an explosive device in a black bag and demanded money.

The building was initially evacuated as the suspect, later identified as a felon named Robert Lawrence Kuch, had purported to have a bag containing a bomb, which he left behind, Yazzolino said.

"The teller complied with the suspect's demands after which he left the bank with an undisclosed amount of money, leaving behind the bag he claimed contained a bomb."

Yazzolino says the Portland Metro Explosive Device Disposal Unit was called to the scene and quickly accessed the bag, finding it to be void of any type of explosive or related items: real or fake.

She says Beaverton detectives have since identified the suspect from the robbery. He is 57-year old Robert Lawrence Kuch, a white male, 6'0", 165 lbs with light colored facial hair.

She said, "He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a blue long sleeve shirt, worn over an additional dark colored shirt, and a green and tan baseball cap."

"It's believed Kuch may still be in the Portland Metro area but also has ties to Vancouver, Washington. Kuch has proclaimed, in recent past, he 'was not going back to prison alive.'

The Beaverton Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating Kuch. If you know any information regarding Kuch or that might assist in the investigation, you are asked to call the TIP LINE at 503-969-3130. Tips may also be left anonymously if necessary.