Police Files

Newport Beach resident struck and killed by vehicle

Newport Beach resident Carlos Romo, 77, was struck and killed by a vehicle Friday night near the intersection of 17th Street and Irvine Avenue. Costa Mesa Police responded to the call at 8:34 p.m.

Romo was taken to Orange County Global Medical Center and was pronounced dead an hour later.

Police say that drugs or alcohol did not appear to be factors in the accident. The driver of the vehicle remained on the scene following the incident.

Teens suspected of breaking into Newport Coast home

 A residential burglary occurred around approximately 2:15 p.m. on Monday, August 3, on Arbella in Newport Coast.

While no one was present at the property, an unknown suspect, or suspects, entered the residence by shattering a window. Once inside, the suspect(s) rummaged through drawers in the master bedroom before fleeing the scene through a living room door.

Two teenagers were seen nearby the residence around the timeframe that the burglary occurred.

There was no reported loss.

The possible suspect information is two white males, both approximately 15 years old, thin builds and approximately 5’8” tall.

Anybody with information is encouraged to call the Newport Beach Police Department at 949.644.3717.

What’s on the Docket

Samuel Lincoln Woodward, Newport Beach – Friday, August 14, 9 a.m. (Central Court 30)

At approximately 11 p.m. on January 2, 2018, Woodward is accused of picking up the victim, 19-year-old University of Pennsylvania student Blaze Bernstein, from his residence in Lake Forest. The victim and the defendant knew each other from attending Orange County School of the Arts in Santa Ana. 

Woodward is accused of driving with the victim to the parking lot of a shopping center on Portola Parkway in Foothill Ranch. 

Later that evening, Woodward is accused of driving the victim to Borrego Park in Lake Forest.

The defendant, who is 6 feet 2 inches tall and 185 pounds, is accused of murdering Bernstein, who was 5 feet 8 inches tall and 135 pounds, by stabbing the victim multiple times because of the victim’s sexual orientation. 

Woodward is accused of burying the victim’s body in the dirt perimeter of Borrego Park. 

On January 3, 2018, Bernstein’s parents contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) to report the victim as a missing person. 

After an eight-day investigation, which included a team of 25 search and rescue deputies, police K-9 dogs, multiple helicopter searches and drones, OCSD investigators discovered the victim’s body on January 9, 2018, in a shallow grave in Borrego Park. 

OCSD arrested the defendant on January 12, 2018 at his home in Newport Beach.

Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.