Tiverton police have released a bank surveillance photograph of the man they say robbed the North Tiverton branch of BankNewport Saturday morning.

Claiming he had a gun, the man robbed the bank just minutes after it opened for business.

The man escaped with what Tiverton Police Captain Patrick Jones said was an "undetermined amount of cash."

A teller at the bank said that the man entered the bank and demanded cash, making a threat that he had a gun, whereupon the teller handed the man the cash he'd demanded.

Captain Jones said the man then "ran out of the bank," but it was not known from witnesses whether he fled on foot or in a car, or in what direction he headed after leaving the bank after leaving the bank.

Captain Jones said the man was described by witnesses as a white male of medium build about five feet, six inches tall, and was wearing dark pants and a gray shirt. He had short dark hair and a "scruffy" beard.

The bank is located at 612 Main Road inTiverton, in the same shopping plaza on the east side of Main Road as the post office and Humphrey's Building Supply Center.

The bank, per protocol, locked down for the day after the incident.

Captain Jones said the matter is under an investigation, headed by Tiverton Lieutenant Michael Carr and Detective Jay Dunlea.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Tiverton Police Department (401-625-6722 or 401-625-6717) Captain Jones said.