Police blotter 7-3-20

by Mick Rhodes | mickrhodes@claremont-courier.com

Friday, June 26

At 8:09 p.m. Claremont police responded to a call from a driver who said someone sideswiped her and took off as she was backing out of parking space at Stater Bros. Police quickly located the suspect vehicle and pulled over Pomona resident Christy Aufdemorte, 38. Ms. Aufdemorte was allegedly driving while under the influence, and she was arrested for DUI and hit and run. She sobered up in Claremont jail and was released the next morning with a citation to appear.

Sunday, June 28

At 7:26 p.m. police cameras caught a license plate belonging to a stolen car, and word went out to patrol officers. Cops found the car and pulled over the driver, Pomona resident Michael Abeyta, 23. Turned out Mr. Abeyta had a no bail warrant, and, not surprisingly,  allegedly had burglary tools in the hot car. Mr. Abeyta was arrested on two felony counts: taking a vehicle without an owner’s permission (car theft), and possession of a stolen vehicle. He also earned himself a misdemeanor charge of possession of burglary tools. He was booked at CPD and held until a Pomona Superior Court appearance on Monday.

Monday, June 29

Robert Wood, a man with no known address, was arrested for petty theft about 2 a.m. near the 700 block of Landers Circle. Police say the 25-year-old was breaking into cars in the area. According to detectives, CPD is in the process of an investigation that may link him to three other car burglaries that happened in Claremont earlier that morning. In the meantime, Mr. Wood was cited and released.

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An ill-advised early-morning shoplifting spree at the AM/PM at 701 E. Foothill Blvd. turned sour for Jessica Monroe, 31, of Pomona. CPD confronted Ms. Monroe at 7:44 a.m. and allegedly found her in possession of not only the convenience store goodies, but also hypodermic needles. She was arrested and charged with misdemeanor charges of petty theft and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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At 10:36 a.m. CPD got a tip that a car burglary was in progress in the Kaiser Permanente parking lot at 250 W. San Jose Ave. There they found Hector Polanco, 38, from Montclair. A search of his car revealed a few extra car batteries and burglary tools. Cops found Mr. Polanco was also on probation for a previous burglary conviction, and had an outstanding warrant out of San Bernardino County for resisting arrest. All in all, the bust resulted in two new felony charges for Mr. Polanco: burglary and possession of stolen property (the batteries), as well as a misdemeanor charge of possession of burglary tools. He was arrested for those charges and the warrant, booked and released on bond.

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If only Edward Keeton could have resisted the charms of the Claremont Motel 6 at 840 S. Indian Hill Blvd., he may have had a better Monday. Police say the motel’s desk clerk had already reported Mr. Keeton for trespassing, but once again he violated that first rule of criminality and returned the scene. Cops responded at 2:47 p.m. and this time the motel pressed charges. CPD located the alleged trespasser, and during questioning police say they found a meth pipe on him. Mr. Keaton was arrested for the misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Tuesday, June 30

Claremont cops had a red letter afternoon when they busted two alleged car and identity thieves at Crystal Place and La Verne Avenue. CPD came into contact with Pomona residents Daniel Maturino, 27, and Skaiann Guzman, 19, at about 5:30 p.m. Police say Mr. Maturino was driving a 2019 Hyundai Sonata that had been reported stolen out of Covina, and Mr. Guzman was piloting a hot black Ford Explorer of unknown vintage. In addition, its alleged the pair were in possession of more than 10 people’s personal profiles. They were both arrested and charged with car theft, possession of stolen property and identity theft, all three felonies. A CPD investigation is ongoing. More info about the bust should be made available in the coming days.

Wednesday, July 1

Claremont police responded to about 20 calls from residents reporting illegal fireworks over the past week. The overwhelming majority of those calls concluded with “GOA/UTL,” which is cop-code for “gone on arrival, unable to locate.” With the Fourth of July tomorrow, next week’s Police Blotter will no doubt be riddled with similar calls. Please stay safe, Claremonters. Don’t blow yourself up.