Resident Sees Burglar in Backyard

Police are asking residents to keep an eye out for a suspect who burglarized a Newport Beach home this week while the residents were upstairs.

The burglary occurred just before 6 p.m. Tuesday at a home in the 400 block of Avocado Avenue. Police say the suspect got into the house through an unlocked door while the victims were upstairs. The suspect took money from a desk drawer and was seen walking out through the backyard.

The victims only saw the suspect from behind, and described the person as very skinny, wearing a white long sleeve shirt, dark pants and a dark hat.

Safety Tips:
- Close and lock all doors, windows and garage door, even when you are at home.

- 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.

- Always keep your front and rear porch lights on from dusk to dawn and use motion detector lighting along the sides of your home or areas with little foot traffic.

- 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. Sign up for a vacation check from the police department at www.nbpd.org

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 notice suspicious activity in your neighborhood, call 949-644-3717 immediately.