Suspect arrested in Laguna Beach jewelry store burglaries

A 30-year-old man suspected in a series of Laguna Beach burglaries was arrested Tuesday after detectives found $500,000 worth of jewelry and two firearms in his Oceanside home, police said.

Five jewelry businesses at the Shops at the Cliffs center were burglarized early July 26 and more than $200,000 in merchandise was stolen, said Laguna Beach police Sgt. Jim Cota.

Surveillance video from the shopping center showed two well-dressed men leaving the scene. Detectives identified Edward Torrison of Oceanside as a suspect.

A second suspect in the burglary has not been apprehended.

Detectives found Torrison on Tuesday at the Oceanside home where he lives with his girlfriend. Police said they approached Torrison as he was leaving the house and he ran.

After a short pursuit, officers arrested him on suspicion of theft, burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to police.

Detectives executed a search warrant on his home and said they found $500,000 in stolen jewelry and two loaded guns.

Torrison, who is listed in jail records as a gemologist, was booked into Orange County Jail with bail set at $500,000.

Police believe evidence recovered could link Torrison to other burglaries in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Laguna Beach detectives are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Laguna Beach Police Department at (949) 497-0701.

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