Newport Beach : Robbers Take $6,700 in Residential Holdup

Two armed men forced their way into an elderly couple’s home and then locked them in a closet before fleeing with jewelry worth $6,700, police said Tuesday.

Guy Woodward, 66, and his wife, Bette, 64, told investigators they were at their home in the 100 block of Hartford Drive at 9:48 p.m. Monday when they heard a knock on the door, according to spokesman Bob Oakley said.

“Mr. Woodward answered the door by unlocking it and opening it,” Oakley said. “When he did, he was confronted by the two suspects at gunpoint.”

The Woodwards were ordered to lie face down on the floor, while one man stood over them with a handgun and the other ransacked the house, Oakley said.

The men took four diamond rings, a watch and a sterling silver flatware set with a Victoria pattern, he said.

Oakley said the intruders forced the couple into a hall closet and propped two chairs against the door to lock them in before fleeing. The couple waited until they were sure the men were gone before they forced their way out of the closet and telephoned police.

Oakley said the men appeared to be about 6 feet tall, medium weight and in their 20s. They wore plain plastic masks and long-sleeve wet suit tops.

Police cautioned residents to use their peepholes and make sure they know who is at the door before unlocking it or opening it.

“Had he done that, he could have called the police and probably averted the robbery,” Oakley said.