CDM Man Arrested for Jewelry Store Burglaries

A 51-year-old Corona del Mar man was arrested today for allegedly committing a string of burglaries targeting stores selling American Indian jewelry.

Jeffrey Todd Stark was arrested at his home this morning, Laguna Beach police Lt. Jason Kravetz said. Investigators linked Stark to one of the Laguna Beach burglaries through DNA evidence collected at the scene, Kravetz said. Stark's DNA was also allegedly found at the scene of a burglary in Newport Beach, the lieutenant said.

A search of Stark's home led investigators to recover several pieces of jewelry allegedly taken in the Laguna Beach burglaries, Kravetz said. Stark was expected to be booked on suspicion of four counts of commercial burglary and possessing stolen property, according to Kravetz, who said Newport Beach police will pursue additional charges.

Laguna Beach police earlier this week released store surveillance video of a Saturday burglary at Kokopelli Gallery, 332 Forest Ave., where $3,500 worth of jewelry was taken in about 30 seconds, Kravetz said. Stark matches the description of the suspect in the Saturday burglary and has injuries consistent with the DNA evidence left behind, Kravetz said.

-City News Service