Police: Man flashed badge to gain entry into home

Police on Monday were searching for a man who they say flashed a badge to gain entry into a Corona del Mar home before he ransacked it.

Police are also looking for his two female accomplices.

Officers received a residential burglary report in the 200 block of Iris Avenue at about 3:15 p.m. Friday, said Newport police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe.

According to a police account of the events, a man wearing a star-shaped badge claimed to be part of a law enforcement organization and went to the home of an elderly woman. He asked for access to her backyard because he said he was looking for someone.

The elderly woman then went to the rear of her home and saw the man standing there. He then told her to wait outside while he checked the area.

After two or three minutes, the woman tried to get into her home, but realized she had been locked out.

She then walked to the front, where she saw the man and two women sitting in a vehicle.

One of the women said she would help the victim get back into her home, and walked with her to the back.

The suspect then walked back to the front of the house. The victim followed her and saw all three suspects flee in a white pickup truck.

After entering her home, the woman noticed her bedroom had been ransacked.

The male suspect is described as a 40-year-old Latino, with a dark shirt, pants, sunglasses and black gloves. The women are white, with average builds and about 5 foot 2 inches tall.

One of the women, also about 40, had an Eastern European accent, possibly Polish, and crooked teeth. The estimated age of the second female suspect was not available.

lauren.williams@latimes.com

Twitter: @lawilliams30