Cop Calls: Burglars Target Newport Homes and Garages

Newport Beach police say burglars targeted unlocked homes and garages in the city this week.

• On Tuesday, Feb. 14 around 6:45 p.m. an unknown suspected tried to enter a home on Calais. Police say the suspect attempted to force open a locked rear door. 

• On Sunday, Feb. 12 between 5 p.m and Monday, Feb. 13 at 5 a.m., an unknown suspect entered an attached garage through an unlocked side door in the 200 block of Via Ithica. The thief made off with a red beach cruiser, a leather backpack, camera and camera equipment. The backpack, containing the camera equipment was taken from the victim’s convertible parked inside the garage.

• On Friday, Feb. 10 between 8 a.m. and 11:45 p.m., an unknown suspect entered a home on Hillsdale Drive. Police say the suspect entered the house through an open bedroom window while the victim was at work and took jewelry and watches.

• On Thursday, Feb. 2 Gregory Jordan Mitton, 46, of Anaheim was arrested for allegedly stealing jewelry and beer from a home in the 100 block of North Bay Front on Balboa Island, after an officer found him drunk on a park bench. Mitton pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 27. He remains behind bars.

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 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.