Car burglaries cost owners $3,500 in merchandise

Costa Mesa Police are looking into a string of car burglaries that occurred during a five-hour period within a one-mile radius, police said.

Investigators believe the smash-and-grab burglaries occurred mostly between midnight and 5 a.m. Tuesday. The burglars stole about $3,500 worth of items, mostly stereos and CDs, police said. One car reported roughly $2,700 worth of CDs stolen from the car, Lt. Loren Wyrick said.

Three of the burglaries were reported in the 2100 and 2200 blocks of Miner Street, another three in the 700 block of West 18th Street, and one in the 500 block of Joann Street, police said. Investigators asked that anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious call (714) 754-5690. Always lock all doors, and remove all valuables from sight in the car, police said.

— Kelly Strodl