Newport Beach Burglaries Have Neighborhood On Edge

NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) —  A rash of burglaries in an upscale Newport Beach apartment community has residents on edge.

Police tell KCAL9's Stacey Butler three break-ins occurred in units located feet apart from each other on Promontory Drive West and Promontory Drive East Tuesday afternoon.

Police believe the thief, or thieves, entered front doors that were dead-bolted with what appears to be a crowbar.

Investigators say jewelry was targeted and removed in all of the thefts.

"I was gone an hour-and-a-half," one of the victims, who declined to be named, said. "Everything was ransacked."

The thief, or thieves, got away with priceless heirlooms and quickly moved on, prying open two more apartment doors and stealing expensive jewelry amounting to $24,000, according to authorities.

Newport Beach police are warning residents to be careful, even during the day.

"With each one of these there was some type of pry device used to force entry," a Newport Beach Police Department spokesman said.

"We see burglaries occur during the day, and something you should be vigilant for. Lock doors and windows and make sure you are aware of your surroundings at all times."

Investigators ask that anyone with information about the break-ins call the Newport Beach Police Department.