String of jewelry thefts reported

Multiple reports came through Laguna Beach police last week regarding jewelry thefts.

Sgt. Louise Callus said the crimes appear to be unrelated. The five reports came within three days — Dec. 29 to Dec. 31 — totaling a loss of more than $613,000.

A woman reported Dec. 29 that $92,000 worth of jewelry was taken in the 600 block of Alta Vista. The jewelry was inside a bag inside a drawer in her home. She said she last saw it Dec. 2.

On Dec. 29, a person reported that several pieces of jewelry had gone missing in the last year beginning in June in the 31000 block of Holly Drive. They estimated the loss at $14,275. There are no signs of forced entry into the home and no suspects.

Another woman reported that on Dec. 29 she had left her home in the 1400 block of La Costa Court while a cleaning crew was inside and came back to find that $5,000 worth of jewelry was missing.

In another incident, a woman filed a report regarding a theft that occurred sometime between Dec. 24 and Dec. 29 in the 900 block of Park Avenue. She reported that $2,691 worth of jewelry was missing.

Lastly, the most recent report appears to be premeditated and had the highest loss, Callus said.

The victims left their Rivera Drive home Saturday to attend a New Year’s Eve party. During the two hours they were away, a male suspect climbed a ladder to access a second-floor balcony, police said. Specific pieces of jewelry from the home were taken, with a total value of $500,000.

--Joanna Clay