Man Hiding in Car Tries to Rob Woman
A man who hid in the back seat of a lone woman’s car to rob her Tuesday apparently tried to use the same method to rob a different woman Thursday morning. But he fled empty-handed when his intended victim jumped out of the car, according to Newport Beach police.
Police say a 34-year-old Newport Beach woman stopped at the Diedrich’s coffee shop, 3601 Jamboree Road, about 6:30 a.m. Thursday. As she was pulling out of the parking lot, a man popped up from the back seat of her Honda CRV and ordered her to keep driving, according to Newport Beach police Sgt. Mike McDermott. But as the man tried to climb into the front seat, the woman quickly pulled over, got out and ran. The would-be robber also fled on foot.
The man was described as white, about 25 years old, 5 feet 10, fit and muscular, with black hair. He was wearing a gray T-shirt, navy shorts and white tennis shoes.
The suspect’s description and methods match a similar incident Tuesday morning at another coffee shop, McDermott said.
“We’re telling people to make sure they lock their cars even when they get out for a short period of time,” McDermott said.
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