SAN DIEGO -- Police are searching for a man who allegedly robbed a Point Loma-area bank but was forced to abandon some of his loot after a red dye pack exploded, 10News reported.

The incident happened shortly after 5:30 p.m., at the Chase Bank on 1740 Rosecrans Street.

Police said a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with a brown shirt over it, gloves, khaki pants and a dark ski mask entered the bank and confronted tellers with an unknown weapon. After getting an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber left the scene with a duffel bag filled with the money.

However, police said a red dye pack inserted in his bag exploded, causing the robber to drop several red-stained and burned bills onto the street.

"I didn't know he robbed the bank; I thought it was free money. I picked it up, it was burning my face so I just dropped it," said nearby resident Barbara Rogers.

Police said the robber was chased by several citizens but was able to escape. The robber was last seen in an area between Rosecrans Street and Nimitz Boulevard, according to police.

Police said the robber's clothing may be splattered with red dye as a result of the explosion.

San Diego police and the FBI are investigating the incident.