Approximately $300,000 worth of jewelry and paintings was stolen from two Newport Beach residences recently, according to police reports.
A burglar acted quickly to steal two paintings at a Corona del Mar residence on Monday.
An unknown suspect entered a home by unknown means in the 2300 block of Second Avenue between 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. and stole the art, valued at a combined total of $125,000.
“The homeowner had just stepped out of the house,” Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman Kathy Lowe said.
The paintings, one by artist August Gay and the other by A.G. Ryder, were hanging inside the home, which the owner had locked and secured.
In another case, a $10,000 Cartier watch and a platinum diamond ring valued at $165,000 were stolen from a Newport Coast home in the first block of Sailview last week, Lowe said.
The watch and ring were taken from the home sometime between Aug. 16 and 19, according to the Lowe, but the homeowners reported it stolen on Tuesday. They were in the process of moving, Lowe said.
There was no sign of forced entry in either case.
Also from police records this week, three people were arrested for burglary at Fashion Island.
Alicia Michelle Gibson, 22, of Rancho Cucamonga, Gary Vincent Brown, 22, of Duarte, and Deon Ramon Bryant, 23, of Fontana, were arrested Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. in the 1100 block of Newport Center Drive.
The suspects attempted to purchase several handbags from Neiman Marcus with forged credit cards, Lowe said.
The cards were declined and the store’s loss prevention officers followed the suspects as they walked outside. Security kept police informed of their whereabouts until officers arrived to arrest them, Lowe added.
Brown, who listed his occupation as a carpet cleaner, is on parole. Bryant listed his as a dog breeder and Gibson’s is unknown.
All three are being held in lieu of $20,000 bail.
