BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY

Extensive graffiti reported in Costa Mesa

Six homes in the 2200 block of Rutgers Drive in Costa Mesa were vandalized by gang graffiti sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning, Lt. Loren Wyrick said.

All six cases of vandalism were reported just after 8:20 a.m. Tuesday, Wyrick said.

All of the homes’ garages were spray painted with characters that police suspect are gang signs, Wyrick said.

This is not the first time graffiti vandalism has been reported on the street, but this case was extensive, Wyrick said.

Police are unsure if gang members were trying to make a statement in the area or if they just happened to be in the neighborhood, Wyrick said. He expects it to be cleaned up quickly and said he doesn’t know if the homeowners will do it themselves or if the city will assist.

Palm Desert man, 78, drowns in harbor

A 78-year-old man from Palm Desert was found drowned in Newport Bay early Wednesday, according to Newport Beach police.

The Orange County coroner identified him as James Murray and said the cause of death was drowning. A passerby came upon Murray in the 700 block of West Bay Avenue just before 4:15 a.m. Wednesday, officials said.

It appeared he fell off a dock or a dinghy and didn’t have the strength to pull himself out of the water, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

Town house damage estimated at $350,000

Newport Beach Fire officials on Wednesday estimated the damage from a Tuesday night fire on Wild Goose Court at $350,000. The fire started in the fireplace in the end unit of an eight-unit town house complex and climbed a chimney pipe into the attic.

The residents of the burning unit were waiting outside when firefighters arrived. Some other residents were evacuated. No one was hurt.