A quick look at the things that made news this week in Newport Beach:
• Richard Kevin Rocha, 47, of Corona, was arrested for burglary Wednesday in connection with at least three residential burglaries in West Newport since 2009, according to a Newport Beach Police Department statement released Thursday.
Police believe he is responsible for at least 30 additional crimes.
The victims were asleep inside their homes when the burglaries occurred, either late at night and in early morning, said NBPD spokeswoman Kathy Lowe. The suspect would often enter the house through an unlocked door or window and steal laptop computers, she said.
Detectives connected Rocha to the crimes after several months of surveillance during their investigation.
He is being held on $500,000 bail.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newport Beach Police Department at (800) 550-NBPD or Detective Brandon Rodriguez at (949) 644-3786. Tips may be left anonymously.
• A man crashed his car into a house on Cliff Drive last Sunday at 8:50 p.m., police reported.
The man, identified as Michael Joseph Anderson, 38 of Westminster, was driving south on Irvine Avenue and continued straight across Cliff Drive, despite the street ending in a T-intersection.
Anderson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to authorities.
He was taken to Western Medical Center with unknown injuries.
• NBC sports broadcaster and journalist Bob Costas recently purchased a $4.7 million home in Newport Beach, reported New England Sports Network.
The 4,534-suare-foot house comes with four bedrooms, six baths, a guest house, bonus rooms, a saltwater in-ground pool, and a bocce ball court.
• A bicyclist collided with a streetlight pole at Jasmine Avenue and East Coast Highway Feb. 7, Patch.com reported.
A car was driving east on East Coast Highway when the driver saw the cyclist going west on the same road.
The cyclist swerved and collided with a streetlight. No contact was made between the car and the bicycle.
The cyclist was taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian with unknown injuries.
•The Newport Beach Public Library Foundation announced a new series of children’s programs.
The series, titled “Making Memories For Children,” is meant to engage, educate, and inspire children ages 5-12.
Space is limited so interested participants must pre-register. The fee is $75 per child for three events, which includes brunch for one child and one parent. To register, visit nbplfoundation.org/events or contact the NBPL Foundation at [email protected] or (949) 548-2411.
— Compiled by Justin Swanson
