2 Held in Newport Boat Burglaries

Newport Beach police have arrested two men they believe are responsible for as many as 50 boat burglaries since October, authorities said Friday.

Matthew David Lewisof Costa Mesa and Justin Christopher Little of Newport Beach, both 20, were captured early Wednesday in the Lido shipyard area as they tried to steal a $10,000 plasma-screen television from a boat, police said.

Lewis and Little are suspects in several other area burglaries, Police Lt. Craig Frizzell said.

More than 50 boat burglaries have been reported in Newport Beach since October, police said. Stolen items included computers, cameras, binoculars and liquor.

“We believe [Lewis and Little] were involved in the majority, if not all of [the burglaries],” Frizzell said. “We are still investigating.”

Most of the burglarized boats were docked along Coast Highway, Harbor Island Drive and Bayside Drive, according to police.

At 2:45 a.m. Wednesday, a police officer patrolling the Lido shipyard noticed two men leaving a black car and walking toward the dock, authorities said.

The men returned to the car almost two hours later, carrying the expensive television, reports state.

Lewis and Little were being held at Newport Beach City Jail. Bail was set at $150,000 each.