Dover Shores woman robbed at her home

Deepa Bharath

An 85-year-old woman received cuts and bruises after a man attacked

and robbed her in her Dover Shores home Tuesday afternoon, officials

said.

The woman had just driven into her home in the 1300 block of Dover

Shores at about 2 p.m., Newport Beach Police Sgt. Steve Shulman said.

She parked her car in the garage and was attending to a few things in

the garage when a man attacked her from behind, he said.

“He forced her to the ground and took her jewelry,” Shulman said.

No weapon was seen, but force was used, he said.

The woman, who was not identified because she is a victim, walked

up to the street, and passersby called the police, he said.

Paramedics took her to the hospital where she was treated for bruises

to her face, Shulman said.

Tuesday’s incident was “very similar” to a robbery that occurred

on Lido Isle on May 15, Shulman said. That robbery happened in the

afternoon as well. The 55-year-old woman in that case was attacked

and robbed in her driveway while returning from a shopping trip. The

alleged robber had taken her personal property and struck her on the

head with an unknown object.

Shulman said detectives are looking into whether the two incidents

are related.

“This one didn’t happen in Lido Isle exactly, but it is near Lido

Isle,” he said.

Shulman said residents must take precautions although some

incidents may be unavoidable.

“People must make sure they pay attention to their surroundings

and make sure they’re not being followed,” he said. “It may also be

useful to carry some personal protection items like pepper spray or

to avoid traveling alone.”

Police are asking anyone with information about this crime to

contact the Newport Beach Detective Division at (949) 644-3790.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.