Crime & Safety

Police Issue Crime Alert in Newport Heights

A flier with safety tips was distributed to the community following a request from a resident, police say.

Newport Beach police issued a crime alert in Newport Heights recently following an increase in burglaries and thefts over the last few months.

Police say since December six residential burglaries and three garage burglaries were reported in and around the Newport Heights community. In the majority of the cases the suspects forced their way into a home by breaking a window. In addition to the burglaries, there have been thefts from vehicles, bike thefts and mail theft in the area. Kathy Lowe, police spokeswoman, says the crime alert was issued following a request from residents.

"All of the burglaries were sent out individually via Nixle, but the resident asked that this flier be distributed in the area due to the amount of incidents that had occurred," Lowe said.

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  • On Tuesday, Feb. 4 around 4:10 a.m. a male targeted a home in the 1200 block of Kings Road. The suspect was described as possibly a teen, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 pounds, with dirty blonde hair, wearing a hat, vest and gray cut off jeans.
  • Police say on Wednesday, Jan. 25 between 5:45 and 9:44 p.m., an unknown suspect tried to break into a home in the 2100 block of Coral Place. According to police, the suspect forced open a front window, causing it to break.
  • On Wednesday, Jan. 18, between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., an unknown suspect targeted a home in the 300 block of Aliso Avenue. The suspect cut and removed a window screen and reached through a louvered glass window to open the door which led into the laundry room.
  • On Tuesday, Jan. 17 around 10:30 p.m., police say a female supect was seen on a surveillance camera walking in the backyard of a home in the 2400 block of Cliff Drive. The woman was also seen walking around the house. She was described as being in her 30s, wearing dark clothing and carrying a black bag.
  • On Saturday, Jan. 7 a garage burglary was reported in the 3200 block of Broad Street. Details were not available.
  • On Friday, Dec. 30 an unknown suspect forced open a garage door at a home in the 500 block of Irvine Avenue. Police say the suspect lifted the door from the bottom and stole two computers, checks, a safe, monitor and office supplies.
  • On Tuesday, Dec. 27 between 8:30 a.m. and midnight an unknown suspect entered a home in the 200 block Kings Place. Police say the suspect went in through an unlocked front door and took a laptop and two purses from the kitchen counter while the victim was outside gardening.
  • On Wednesday, Dec. 14 around 11:22 a.m. three men broke into a home in the 500 block of El Modena. Police say the suspects walked up to the victim's front door, then walked across the patio and jumped over a small fence to gain access to the side of the residence. The suspects then broke a window, activating the alarm and fled in a white Chevrolet, possibly a Malibu with a sunroof. The suspects were seen casing the residence before the attempted burglary. The victim did not report anything stolen.
  • On Monday, Dec. 5 a garage burglary was reported in the 500 block of Redlands Avenue. Details were not available.

Lowe said patrol officers are aware of the increase in crime in the Newport Heights area.

Home Security Tips:

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- Close and lock all doors, windows and garage door.

- All exterior doors should be equipped with a deadbolt lock, which should always be used have a security strike plate, attached with a minimum of two, three inch screws.

- If you have an alarm, always activate it when you are away.

- Use photo cells or timers to turn both interior and exterior lights on and off.

- If you are going to be out of town, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your home and pick up your mail. Signup for a vacation check from the police department at www.nbpd.org

Don't Open the Doors to Strangers:

- Install and use a peephole with a minimum 190 degree view.

- When you go to the door, have your phone with you.

- Acknowledge you are home without opening the door.

- If the individual acts suspiciously, call the police department immediately and provide them with a description of the subject and why you thought their behavior was suspicious.

Call police immediately if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood at 949-644-3717.


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