Police blotter 12-12-14

Monday, December 1

A popular Claremont hotel was the victim of intended arson. According to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek, the unknown suspect attempted to set fire to the vacant portion of the DoubleTree Hotel by pushing nearly a dozen pieces of newspaper through two, eight-foot double doors and setting it ablaze. It’s unknown when the fire started, however, there was very little property damage and the cost of damage has not been determined.

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Evey Canyon hikers beware: thieves have struck again. A purse left on the floorboard of a locked vehicle parked at the canyon’s entrance was appealing to one thief, who used an unknown object to smash the car’s window and steal it. Between 9:50 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., the female victim went hiking with a friend and when she returned to her Toyota Prius, discovered the car had been broken into and her purse stolen. The suspect fled in an unknown direction.

Wednesday, December 3

A woman’s life was threatened after thugs showed up to collect over $20,000 on an alleged business deal involving her husband. According to Lt. Ciszek, the female victim was at work around 2 p.m. when two suspects arrived at the business located on the 1400 block of Andrew Way, demanding to know the whereabouts of her husband. One of the suspects, with his hand in an envelope, taunted the woman stating he would put a bullet in her head and again asked for her husband’s location. The suspects remain at large and the investigation is ongoing.

Saturday, December 6

An out-of-town musician with a local gig was arrested for driving under the influence following his set. Dale Everingham, 50, was driving near Butte and Towne Avenue around 2 a.m. when officers stopped him due to an inoperable taillight on his Porsche. The Oakland resident told police he was invited down to play at the Hi-Brow and “serve the community.” Further investigation revealed Mr. Everingham had been drinking and was subjected to a sobriety test that he tried to sabotage by placing his tongue into the Breathalyzer straw. He was booked and later released on $5,000 bail.

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Claremont officers came to the rescue of two drinkers who were having one heck of a night in the City of Trees. San Francisco resident Benjamin Birenbaum, 22, and San Dimas resident Elizabeth Rietzell, 23, first encountered police when they were refused service at Eureka Burger because staff suspected they were too intoxicated. Officers spoke with the duo, who agreed to call a taxi before officers left the scene. A short time later, Ms. Rietzell called 9-1-1 stating that they were on foot and couldn’t find her car. She told police it was parked somewhere in the area of Indian Hill and Second Street before hanging up. Moments later, Mr. Birenbaum called 9-1-1 again and advised the same information. Officers responded and questioned the two, who told police they’d cancelled the taxi after they became worried about the car’s location. Both suspects were arrested for public intoxication, booked and later released.

—Angela Bailey

news@claremont-courier.com