Corona man suspected in West Newport burglaries

Newport Beach police arrested a man they said is connected to at least three burglaries and possibly up to 30 in the West Newport area.

Since 2009, there have been numerous burglaries in West Newport in the late evening or early morning hours while victims were asleep in their homes, the Newport Beach Police Department said in an announcement Thursday. Police said in most of the burglaries, someone entered the home through an open door or window and stole a laptop computer.

Police arrested Richard Kevin Rocha, 47, of Corona, at his home Wednesday after months of follow-up investigation.

Rocha was held in lieu of $500,000 bail in an Orange County jail, according to police and jail records.

His next scheduled court date is Friday.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30