Grinch Alert: Police Warn Shoppers To Be Careful
Corona del Mar resident Kimberly Wells was getting a jump-start on holiday shopping at South Coast Plaza recently when she realized someone had walked off with two of her shopping bags filled with $250 worth of merchandise.
“My story has a happy ending — the people who took my bags actually returned them to the valet station where they were taken,” Wells said. Maybe it was an honest mistake, maybe it wasn’t — but dealing with police and mall security guards was not how she wanted to spend her time.
Newport Beach police officials say that the holidays are a time when busy people are especially vulnerable to thefts and other crimes. They urge people to take basic steps to make sure they and their belongings are safe, including locking doors, not leaving valuables in plain sight, being mindful of hanging on to wallets and purses and packages and not overloading yourself with packages. Try to put items in your trunk before you arrive at a destination because thieves who watch you load your car can quickly break in, even a locked trunk.
They also advise not carrying large amounts of cash, letting police know about any thefts and making sure to report anyone suspicious hanging around a parking lot or near a store entrance.
“With the holidays, people need to be on guard,” said Andi Querry, a crime prevention specialist. “Don’t be careless at stores. Just be very aware of your surroundings. Be aware if someone bumps you or is in your space.”
For more safety tips, visit the Newport Beach Police Department website.
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