Detectives are investigating two home burglaries where more than $600,000 in jewelry was stolen within Laguna Beach’s gated ocean-front enclave of Smithcliffs last week.
“There is a likelihood that the two Smithcliff burglaries are related, but I cannot definitively say I am 100% sure until more investigation work is completed,” said Lt. Jason Kravetz, adding that investigators are consulting with the Orange County Crime Lab over common threads.
The first incident, reported at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 13, apparently occurred within the previous eight days. The victims noticed over $100,000 in jewelry was missing from their home, though there were no signs of forced entry, Kravetz said.
In the second burglary, reported at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14, a woman returned home after a three-hour absence to discover a break-in and the loss of jewelry valued at $500,000. She said her 19-year-old daughter was home at the time, but heard nothing.
Police declined to identify the missing items due to the ongoing investigation.
