Cop Calls: Burglars Take Advantage of Unlocked Property

Newport Beach police say burglars targeted unlocked property throughout the city over the last week.

• Police say sometime between Monday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, March 3, an unknown suspected entered an unlocked home in the 300 block of East 22nd Street. The suspect stole a bike and several power tools that were in the garage.

• Police say sometime between Thursday, Feb. 23 and Friday, Feb. 24 an unknown suspect targeted a truck parked in the 2500 block of Vista Baya. The victim's truck bed was unlocked and the suspect made off with tools and a tool box.

• According to police, sometime between Thursday, March 1 around 6:15 p.m. and Friday, March 1 around 9 a.m., an unknown suspect broke into a home in the 1800 block of Irvine Avenue. Police say the suspect smashed a right rear window of the victim's vehicle and stole a duffle bag containing a Tae Kwon Do body pad and Gi.

Safety Tips:

• To ensure the safety of your home, schedule an appointment for a free security inspection by calling Newport Beach police at 949-644-3699.

• Make sure the doors and windows of your home and vehicles are locked at all times.
  

• Install a deadbolt lock in all doors leading from your garage to your home or outside.

• Use a vacation bolt or padlock in the garage door’s track, ¼ inch above the roller when the door is in a closed position. This will prevent the door from opening in the event someone has a garage door opener with your door’s frequency.

• Cover your garage windows with curtains or blinds to prevent a burglar from seeing what you keep in your garage.

• It only takes seconds to remove property from an open garage, never leave your garage doors open even for short periods of time, when you are not present.

• Consider improving the lighting on your property, criminals like to work in the dark.

• Put your Neighborhood Watch to work. Make a strong commitment to knowing and watching out for each other.

Newport Beach police say if you arrive at your home and notice something out of place that leads you to think someone has been in your home while you were out, go to a safe location and call 911.

If you see suspicious activity, vehicles, or people call the Newport Beach Police Department immediately at 949-644-3717.