Corona del Mar Today: While parents are at Neighborhood Watch meeting, girl calls police

A Shore Cliffs couple were attending a Neighborhood Watch meeting on Wednesday evening, learning from police about recent burglaries and other crimes in the neighborhood.

And at the same time, their daughter, at home a few blocks away, was calling police after noticing a man rattling door handles on her father’s car.

The girl, 12, heard the rattling and her dog barking, then looked at a security camera video and saw a man at her father’s car, which was parked on the street in front of the home, the girl’s mother said.

The incident occurred about 6:30 p.m. The girl called her mother, and the mother immediately spoke to Andi Querry, the crime prevention specialist at the meeting. The mother then told the girl to report the incident to the department’s non-emergency number.

“The subject, described as a tall, thin man with dark hair, had walked to the driver’s door of the vehicle, pulled on the handle, and then walked away,” said Jennifer Manzella, a department spokeswoman. “Responding officers and a helicopter searched the area, to no avail. The investigating officer took a report for vehicle tampering.”

Manzella said the girl should be applauded for her actions.

“She was alert to suspicious behavior and notified the Police Department in a timely manner,” Manzella said.

“We are very proud of her presence of mind and actions surrounding this event,” her father said.

The neighborhood meeting had been organized by homeowners and the Newport Beach Police Department’s crime prevention safety officer. About 30 people attended the meeting, which was prompted by a burglary earlier this month on Morning Canyon Road.

*Coyote pack spotted near Poppy, Fifth

Newport Beach police on Wednesday investigated a report of a pack of 10 to 12 coyotes near Poppy and Fifth avenues, according to a police spokeswoman.

The caller said the pack had run up Heliotrope Avenue toward East Coast Highway, but the report was made at about 8 p.m., about 20 minutes after the sighting.

“Officers searched the area but were unable to confirm the report,” said Manzella.

She said social media reports that a helicopter assisted in the search were erroneous.

“We have not enlisted the helicopter to help in tracking any coyotes,” she said.

Animal control officers are trained to deal with aggressive coyotes and have equipment to tranquilize them if necessary, she said. A police officer currently assigned to the Corona del Mar area also has this training, she said.

*

Bella Del Mar Boutique to open with party

Bella Del Mar women’s apparel boutique is opening in Corona del Mar, and a grand-opening party is scheduled for Thursday.

The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will host the event at the boutique from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Included will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony, legislative and city proclamation presentations, refreshments and a raffle for an accessory collection worth $250, according to a chamber flier.

Guests also will receive a 30% discount on purchases made during the party.

The shop is at 2828 East Coast Hwy., in a new building that replaced Sunny’s Photos. The old Sunny’s Photos building was at least 50 years old. Another business going in the new building is Cottage Colour, at 2836 East Coast Hwy.

Bella Del Mar

will carry Joe’s Jeans, Chan Luu jewelry, Hudson Jeans, Ella Moss, PJ Salvage and more, the flier said.

Corona del Mar Today appears Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com.