Police looking for burglar targeting surfers

Huntington Beach police are using Facebook to find a suspected vehicle burglar targeting surfers.

The Huntington Beach Police Department has posted five photographs of a man suspected of using keys hidden on vehicles while surfers are in the water to break in and steal valuables, police reported.

Two photographs of a woman caught with the suspect using a stolen credit card at a grocery store by security photographs were also posted.

The man was described as white, 35 to 45 years old, about 5 feet 10, 180 pounds with a long gray-blond goatee.

The suspect allegedly used keys hidden under the grill of a car Oct. 28 on 19th Street and Pacific Coast Highway to steal a wallet and watch while the driver was surfing. He was then allegedly caught by a surveillance photograph using the stolen credit card at a Vons in Garden Grove.

The man again allegedly found keys hidden on a vehicle Nov. 30 at 22nd Street and PCH while the driver was surfing. A wallet was stolen from the vehicle.

The suspect was later caught by surveillance with a woman using the stolen credit cards at a Ralphs in Fountain Valley and Albertsons in Huntington Beach, police reported.

A third victim parked and locked his car Dec. 5 in the Dog Beach parking lot off PCH and Goldenwest Street. The car was stolen and later found near Walnut Avenue and 22nd Street with a wallet, ring, camera and iPod missing.

A witness saw a man matching the description of the suspect in the other two incidents park the stolen vehicle and get into an older gray Chrysler van.

The suspect was caught on camera trying to use the stolen credit card at a Target in Westminster, police reported. The card was declined.

Police believe the man in the three incidents is the same and are asking for the public’s help identifying him and his female companion. Anyone with information is asked to call (714) 374-1601.

—Britney Barnes