Burglary suspect sought

Newport Beach police are seeking the public’s help catching a 45-year-old man wanted for allegedly stealing more than $1 million in the burglaries of pricey homes.

Richard William Abbott is wanted on an arrest warrant for burglary, police said.

Investigators fingered him as the thief who broke into a Newport Beach home Oct. 25 after identifying DNA from blood left at the scene, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

“He’s a two-striker,” Sailor said, explaining how investigators were able to match the DNA. “That’s why he’s on the run and is considered armed and dangerous. This would be a third strike.”

Abbott was last seen driving a red 2007 Ford Mustang, Shelby GT500 convertible with a black top, according to police. The car’s license plate is 5WMV709, police said.

Abbott is white, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds and has short blond hair and green eyes, according to police.

Abbott targets rich neighborhoods and usually breaks in through a skylight or a window, according to police. He prefers to steal jewelry, cash and firearms and is a safe-cracker, police said.

Abbott was last known to live in Palm Springs and likes to gamble, Sailor said. He is aware that authorities are looking for him, police say, so the public should be careful if they see him.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-550-NBPD. You can leave anonymous messages on that hotline.