Police blotter 1-3-14

Package bandits continue to make presence felt

Claremont police may have placed two package thieves behind bars before the holidays, but the parcels continue to go missing from doorsteps throughout the city. A new victim was identified in the 700 block of West Eleventh Street. More than $200 in goods was taken between December 18 and December 27. Any information should be reported to the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

Friday, December 27

An employee of Foothill Laundry, located at 665 E. Foothill Blvd., was helping a customer mend a problem when she received some damage of her own. While busy altering the patron’s pants, two women entered the store and made off with the employee’s wallet and a bag of money, according to Claremont Detective Isaac Reyes. More than $300 was stolen. A report was taken, but the women made off undetected.

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Hipolito Lopez, a 56-year-old from Los Angeles, channeled his inner car on Friday evening just before rush hour when he wandered on foot in the middle of traffic on Foothill Boulevard between Claremont Boulevard and Monte Vista Avenue. Police caught Mr. Lopez near Corey’s Nursery, where he admitted to drinking Steel Reserve, a beer known for its unusually high alcohol content. He was arrested for public intoxication.

Saturday, December 28

A loud noise woke a 25-year resident of the 900 block of Butte Street on Saturday around 4:45 a.m. “I thought the water heater had blown up, that’s how loud it was,” she said. It wasn’t until around 9 a.m. that the resident noticed a bullet hole in the window directly next to where she slept. The bullet traveled through the home’s side fence then the window and across her bed to lodge itself in her bedroom wall. Police received several reports of gunfire on Butte Street Saturday morning, according to Det. Reyes. However, no injuries were reported and  only one homeowner reported damage. Police arrived on scene and found 7 casings from a 40-caliber gun, but were unable to locate any suspects, though a potential suspect vehicle was identified. Police are currently conducting a follow-up investigation.

Monday, December 30

The burglaries continue to mount up along Claremont’s wilderness trails. On Monday afternoon, a black male was allegedly spotted attempting to open the doors of cars parked in the 2000 block of North Indian Hill Boulevard at the Thompson Creek trailhead, though nothing was reported stolen. Police remind residents to keep their cars locked and valuables out of sight.

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A man believed to be lost in the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park was rescued by police on Tuesday evening after 6 hours wandering the local hillside, according to Det. Reyes. Police received reports around noon of a man who appeared dazed and confused. After several hours of searching, 25-year-old Gerardo Martinez of Pomona was found near Palmer Canyon. Mr. Martinez had cuts all over his arms and was treated at Pomona Valley Hospital for dehydration, according to Det. Reyes. In addition to minor injuries, police were able to identify what may have fueled Mr. Martinez’s flight: methamphetamine. He was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com