Two arrested on suspicion of stealing purse in Newport

Newport Beach police have arrested two men suspected of stealing an elderly woman’s purse from a shopping cart, police announced Wednesday.

Michal Polasek of Newport Beach and Joshua Faber of Costa Mesa, both 18, approached the woman from behind and grabbed her purse as she walked toward a Ralphs grocery store in Westcliff Plaza near Irvine Avenue and Westcliff Drive on Monday, according to the Newport Beach Police Department.

Both men ran from the area, but witnesses held Polasek until officers arrived, police said. Both were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit petty theft.

Police said Polasek and Faber may be responsible for similar crimes in Westcliff Plaza. On March 24 and Sunday, elderly women sitting outside businesses had their purses stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Tracy McKenzie at (949) 644-3761.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30