Naked invader sought

Newport Beach Police asked the public’s help to catch a man who recently walked into two women’s homes in the middle of the night and masturbated in their bedrooms as they slept, authorities said.

The man, described as 25 to 30 years old, 6 feet tall and 190 pounds, wore only a dark beanie, witnesses told investigators. He walked into a home at 3 a.m. Sunday on the 900 block of West Balboa Boulevard through an unlocked bedroom slider, police said. At 1:40 a.m. Tuesday he walked through an unlocked door on the 200 block of East Balboa Boulevard.

Both times the women, who live alone, woke up as he was fondling himself. Both times he ran away. Detectives suspect it’s the same man because of the similar circumstances.

The man did not leave any evidence behind, Sgt. Evan Sailor said. It looks as though he entered the homes almost naked (except for the beanie and socks in one case), and possibly chose the homes because the women are alone, leading investigators to think he may be local because he’s familiar with the area, Sailor said.

Police said it doesn’t appear to be the same man who entered unlocked homes in the Newport Crest community in January where women found someone standing over them. That man was not doing anything sexual, police said in January. Police have not made any arrests in that case, which stretches back to November 2006, Sailor said.

Anyone with information about the latest suspect are asked to call Investigator Andy Halpin at (949) 644-3771 or (800) 550-NBPD.

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.