Construction equipment stolen from The Helm

COSTA MESA — Thieves broke into The Helm and stole construction equipment being used to transform the now-closed Newport Boulevard dive bar into a chic lounge, police said Tuesday.

Costa Mesa police believe three suspects forced open a secured door and then took multiple tools from the decades-old bar.

The break-in was reported to police Monday, but believed to have taken place at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Police did not provide an estimated value of the stolen items.

The Helm closed in August after the property owners chose to stop renting the space out to the bar. During that time, a website and Facebook page cropped up that lamented the loss of the local watering hole at 1824 Newport Blvd.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30