The economy may be on the upswing, but several Claremont businesses took a hit last week when thieves broke in after hours and made off with their profits.

The Sheriff of Nottingham was nowhere to be found when two thieves entered the Sherwood Florist between 5:30 p.m. on May 26 and 7:30 a.m. on May 27 and made off with two cash registers, a surveillance camera and company credit cards.

The female suspects attempted to use the stolen credit cards at two gas stations in Pomona, with surveillance cameras at one of the filling stations capturing a dark SUV and a white pickup truck arriving together. A female was seen exiting the white truck and attempted to use the stolen card at the gas station, but the card was declined.

On May 28, further investigation by Claremont officers and detectives led them to Pomona where the two suspect’s vehicles were found in the driveway of a residence. According to CPD, a probation search was conducted at the home and evidence from the burglary was located. Marnee Corley, the 44-year-old suspect seen in the surveillance footage, was found inside and was arrested for burglary. She was later released on $20,000 bond.

Her alleged accomplice, 42-year-old Evelyn Zepeda of Pomona, was arrested the following day. According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, the case against Ms. Zepeda was presented to the DA for prosecution but was declined due to insufficient evidence. The status of Ms. Corley’s pending charges is not yet known.

Thieves also targeted two additional businesses, Claremont Nails and Bikram Yoga.

Unknown burglars entered Claremont Nails, 354 S. Indian Hill Blvd., sometime between 8 p.m. on May 26 and 6:30 a.m. on May 27, smashing the front glass door with a rock. A cash register containing $1,400 was stolen from the premises. The investigation remains ongoing. 

Similar circumstances occurred at Bikram Yoga, with the burglars using a rock to break the front glass door to the studio located at 150 W. San Jose Ave. The unknown thieves entered the business sometime between May 29 at 8:30 p.m. and May 30 at 7 a.m. and stole the cash drawer, which contained a small amount of money. Police at the scene collected evidence possibly related to the crime, but there is no suspect information at this time.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes should contact the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com