NEWPORT BEACH : This Time Bandits Fail in Gem Heist Try

Masked bandits made an unsuccessful attempt Tuesday to rob a Fashion Island jewelry store, police said Wednesday.

It was the second time in eight days that gem thieves targeted the shopping center. On March 13, three masked gunmen entered Moboco Fine Jewelry & Gems in Fashion Island and grabbed more than $1 million in jewelry.

In the latest incident, four men in a dark blue Cadillac drove up to Wyndham Leigh Diamonds Inc. about 8:50 p.m., Police Sgt. Andy Gonis said. The driver stayed in the car while three other bandits pulled black ski masks over their faces as they approached the door, Gonis said. No weapons were seen, he said. “One suspect shook on the door for five or 10 seconds. It wouldn’t budge and he fled after his friends said, ‘Let’s go,’ ” Gonis said.

Gonis said police are investigating the likelihood that the attempted robbery is linked to four other jewel thefts in Orange County in which retailers have lost at least $1.45 million since Feb. 1.