Police blotter 8-14-15

Monday, August 3

Claremont police are searching for a brazen thief who entered an AM/PM during rush hour, stole an employee’s wallet and fled the location undetected. At 5:12 p.m. on August 1, the suspect entered the Foothill Boulevard mini-mart, walked into a room and opened the 21-year-old victim’s purse to remove her wallet. The thief placed the wallet in his pants’ pocket and fled the location. The victim’s Bank of America debit card and another credit card were later used in the cities of Brea, Pomona and Diamond Bar without her consent. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, 20 to 25 years old, with short brown hair, a mustache and a goatee. He was wearing a black T-shirt with a the word “Ease” in white lettering, green camouflage shorts and black shoes with white shoelaces at the time of the crime. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

Tuesday, August 4

Thieves continue to prey on Evey Canyon visitors who leave their purse in the car. According to Claremont Lieutenant Mike Ciszek, officers responded to the hillside location following a call of two vehicles burglarized between 9 and 11:30 a.m. The unknown perpetrators smashed the rear window of a Toyota Corolla and took the 29-year-old Chino resident’s purse that was sitting on the floorboard in the back seat. A Nissan Versa parked next to the Corolla was also broken into, with the thieves smashing the front passenger window and stealing the 23-year-old Upland resident’s purse. The investigation remains ongoing.

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It was a birthday to remember for one Pomona gal who went to get her free Grand Slam at Denny’s and ended up in the Claremont slammer. Marlo Aguilar celebrated her big day with a meal at Denny’s and then walked out of the restaurant without paying her $20.09 tab. At approximately 1:09 p.m., police were called to the scene and found Ms. Aguilar nearby where she admitted to her crime of defrauding the restaurant. The 44-year-old Leo told police she thought she was receiving a free meal on her birthday and was confused when the waitress handed her the bill. Denny’s staff confirmed she did receive a free meal, but ordered an additional $20 in food. Although Denny’s declined to prosecute the birthday girl, she wasn’t out of the woods just yet. A records check by CPD revealed Ms. Aguilar had an outstanding warrant and she was placed under arrest.

Thursday, August 6

A transient was taken into custody after refusing to cooperate with Claremont police. Antonio Mastas was riding his bike along Amherst and First streets at 8:30 a.m. when police attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. The 19-year-old man refused commands to get off his bike and a struggle with officers ensued. Mr. Mastas was found to be in possession of cable cutters and a small replica pistol. He was arrested for resisting an officer and possession of burglary tools, booked at Claremont jail and held for court.

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The home of a Pomona College professor owned by the Claremont Colleges was burglarized while the tenant was vacationing. At approximately 8:30 a.m., unknown thieves entered the home on the 300 block of Harvard Avenue after prying open the lock on a rear door. Property loss is unknown at this time.

Friday, August 7

A Glendora man crossing the street was struck by a vehicle and transported to a local hospital as a result of his injuries. According to Lt. Ciszek, a 70-year-old Pomona resident driving a Dodge Caravan was traveling east on San Jose Avenue at 12:52 p.m. when he approached the intersection at Indian Hill Boulevard. The senior driver proceeded to make a right turn and failed to yield to a pedestrian who was walking in a marked crosswalk. The 56-year-old victim was struck by the vehicle and transported via ambulance to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center complaining of back pain.

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Claremont police arrested a Pomona man for vehicle theft following a high-risk traffic stop in San Bernardino County. At approximately 5:30 p.m., a stolen Dodge pickup was spotted by CPD at Towne Avenue and Scripps Drive. While conducting an Internet check for the vehicle, an officer located the truck traveling eastbound on the 210 freeway at Base Line Road.  The officer followed the truck until police backup arrived and conducted a traffic stop just south of the Mountain Avenue exit in Upland. The driver, 48-year-old John Boyer, was arrested for vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and driving on a suspended license. He was later released on $25,000 bond.

Sunday, August 9

A report of a man lying on a Village bench and exposing his buttocks wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Officers were called to the Village Grille at approximately 2:17 p.m. and made contact with Michael London, who was indeed on a bench but was fully clothed. A records check revealed the Montclair resident did have active warrants for his arrest and, in the end, the 34-year-old man was booked at Claremont jail and held for court.

Monday, August 10

Two thieves from the big city were captured while driving a stolen vehicle in the City of Trees. At approximately 1:05 a.m., Claremont officers observed a blue Honda Accord, reported stolen to Long Beach police on August 9, turn westbound on First Street from Harvard Avenue. The officers followed the Honda and conducted a high-risk traffic stop. A search of the vehicle revealed two syringes and numerous pieces of mail with the names and addresses of different people. Passenger Julian Valdez, 31, from Los Angeles, admitted to owning the syringes and was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of stolen property and lying to police after giving them a false name. The driver, Los Angeles resident Francisco Garcia Akaraz, 31, was booked for a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, being an unlicensed driver and for having outstanding warrants.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com