Man burgles house with owner upstairs

Police said an unidentified man burglarized a Newport Beach home while the homeowner was upstairs and unaware of what was going on.

Police said a person living in a home in the 400 block of Fernleaf Avenue was outside on their second-story balcony when a man walked through the front door about 1:36 p.m. Sunday.

Police described the suspect as a black man, 50 years old, 6 feet tall, 185 pounds with black, short hair, a thin build and wearing a dark jacket.

A neighbor saw the man come out of the front door and shout at the homeowner on the second floor, “Excuse me, is this where the open house is?” according to police.

The unsuspecting homeowner told the man to try down the street.

A neighbor who saw the suspect exit the home told the homeowner he was inside, police said.

The homeowner then found that cash had been taken from her wallet.

Police said the man was seen leaving in an old, rusty blue Toyota Camry.

— Joseph Serna