Police blotter 8-14-20

by Mick Rhodes | mickrhodes@claremont-courier.com

Wednesday, August 5

The Claremont Police Department got a call at 6 a.m. regarding a suspicious character near 125 W. San Jose Ave. Once there they found Anthony Martinez, 33, from San Bernardino, who was allegedly in possession of a gun, stolen credit cards and a hypodermic needle. Mr. Martinez was arrested on three misdemeanor charges of carrying a concealed firearm, possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia. He also had a no bail warrant out of San Bernardino County, so he was booked, issued a citation to appear in Pomona Superior Court, and then transferred to West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga to face the SB County charge.

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Claremont police got an unexpected workout about 8 p.m. after a clerk at Village clothing store Nectar, at 319 W. First St., accused Clare Reiker of shoplifting. When officers arrived to question the 21-year-old Montclair resident she took off running. Police quickly caught up with her in a nearby alley and she was arrested for petty theft—a beige colored sweater valued $48.73—and resisting arrest. She was released with a citation to appear.

Saturday, August 8

Claremont officers got another workout after they responded to call regarding the theft of three quarts of motor oil that occurred earlier in the day at the Shell station at 747 S. Indian Hill Blvd. Acting on a tip, they were looking for a suspect at the Motel 6 nearby and began questioning Anthony Contreras, 36, from Pomona. Though Mr. Contreras turned out not to be their guy, he allegedly gave them a fake name then took off running. Officers caught up with him as he was attempting to jump from a second story motel balcony. He was arrested on three misdemeanors: two for possession of drug paraphernalia—one for a hypodermic needle and another for a methamphetamine pipe—and resisting arrest. He also had two outstanding no-bail felony warrants, one in LA County and another in  San Bernardino County. Mr. Contreras posted bail and will appear in Pomona Superior Court to answer the new charges.

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Claremont PD responded to one of their more infrequent calls—carjacking—after a passerby called 911 at 6:28 p.m. to report a fight in progress near Lehigh Drive and San Jose Avenue. The man who had been assaulted told police a carjacker made off with his white 1982 Chevy El Camino. Sometime later Claremont officers working with the Pomona Police Department located the purloined car at a Pomona home near La Verne Avenue and Victoria Way. Claremont police went to the home and say they saw a man who fit the description of the carjacking suspect speed off in the El Camino. After a short pursuit they pulled over the driver, 29-year-old Pomona resident Cesar Acevedo, and took him into custody without incident. He was booked on three felony counts: carjacking, evading a police officer and possession of stolen vehicle. Mr. Acevedo was also on probation for felony burglary. He spent the next few days in the Claremont jail before making an appearance in Pomona Superior Court.

Monday, August 10

Claremont resident Cole Gunstream, 29, was arrested at about 11:54 a.m. after police responded to a verbal argument in the Village in the 200 block of West First Street. It turned out Mr. Gunstream was allegedly in violation of a court issued restraining order filed by the other person involved in the confrontation. He was booked on the misdemeanor contempt of court charge then released with a citation.