Police Search For Armed Robbers Targeting Pedestrians In Costa Mesa, Newport Beach
COSTA MESA (CBS) — Authorities are searching for two men robbing pedestrians at gunpoint in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.
Police say the robbers, described as Hispanic men, were polite as they robbed pedestrians in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach of their wallets, cell phones and other items, Newport Beach police Sgt. Eric Peterson said. No injuries were reported in any of the crimes.
The first robbery was just after midnight when two men confronted a 30-year-old man walking alone on Cabrillo Street at Orange Avenue and demanded his money, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Jerry Souza said. One man simulated a handgun, and the victim told police he heard the sliding sound of a semi-automatic gun being cocked. The suspects took the victim's cell phone, wallet and other property and fled on foot.
Not even an hour later, a man walking on Newport Boulevard at Del Mar Avenue was confronted by two men, who demanded money, Souza said. The victim told police the suspects emptied his pockets.
When the victim asked to keep his identification, one suspect displayed a black semi-automatic handgun. The suspects took that victim's wallet and cell phone, but may have let him keep his ID, Souza said.
A man walking alone in Newport Beach about 2 a.m. was confronted at gunpoint by two men, Peterson said. The suspects took the man's cell phone, backpack, $107 in cash, wallet and some clothes.
The suspects in each robbery were described similarly as two Hispanic men. One suspect was between 5 feet 10 and 6 feet tall, weighing 200-220 pounds, and wore a dark shirt and dark pants. The other suspect was between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 10, weighed 130-170 pounds, and wore a dark hoodie sweatshirt and dark pants.
Anyone with information on any of the robberies can call Costa Mesa police at (714) 754-5252, or Newport Beach police at (949) 644-3681.
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