CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Police: Suspects Drove to Corona del Mar To Steal

Six people were arrested this week after driving to Corona del Mar to break into cars, only to be foiled when a citizen heard an alarm and called police, officials said today.

The incident occurred about 1:30 a.m. Monday when a woman called police to say she heard a car alarm and saw someone running away from the vehicle in the 700 block of Orchid Avenue, officials said in a statement. The first officer to arrive saw three people running from the area, and when other police arrived, they quickly set up a perimeter to contain the suspects.

Officers located four juveniles and one adult and recovered stolen property from one of them, according to a statement. All five suspects were arrested on a conspiracy to commit theft charge.

“An investigation revealed that a total of six suspects had driven to Corona Del Mar with the intent to commit theft from vehicle,” police said in a statement. The sixth suspect was arrested a day later.

The incident was the second this month in which a car theft was foiled by an alert citizen. On July 18, a man called police after interrupting two men stealing from his car in the 400 block of Jasmine Avenue. Three people were arrested; read our story here.

Police said vehicle burglaries continue to be a major problem, with 42 thefts from unlocked vehicles in the Corona del Mar area this year. Another 21 vehicle burglaries, in which the suspects used force or broke windows to get into vehicles, also were reported during the same time period.

Police urge citizens to lock car doors and close the windows, even if you’re only going to be away from your vehicle for a moment; never to hide a spare key in or around your vehicle; avoid keeping valuables in your vehicle but if you must, keep them out of sight and well hidden before arriving at your destination; always park in a well-lighted area; park inside a garage if possible and if not, remove your garage door open; and keep GPS systems out of sight.