Police blotter 4.19.13

Suspects still at-large from Claremont burglaries

Three businesses were burglarized over the weekend as the trend of commercial crime continues in Claremont. On Saturday, April 13 between 11 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., an unknown suspect smashed the front glass door of the Kicks shoe store located at 448 Auto Center Dr.  A grand total of $7 was taken, according to the police report. Also on Saturday at approximately 3:30 a.m., an unknown suspect smashed the front glass door of the Last Drop Cafe located at 119 Harvard Ave. The cash register and tip jar totaling an estimated $137 were stolen.

On Sunday, April 14, at approximately 5 a.m., an unknown suspect smashed the front glass door of Dr. Burwell’s dental office located at 2050 N. Mills Ave. The suspect(s) entered the business, but nothing was taken. Anyone with information regarding these crimes should contact the Claremont Police Department at 399-5411.

Friday, April 12

One Claremont liquor store and more than 20 other establishments throughout southern California were cited last week for selling alcohol and lottery products to minors. Claremont police joined forces with 13 other local groups in a multi-agency sting operation organized to make sure stores throughout southern California were complying with rules for selling alcohol, tobacco and lottery tickets. The enforcement procedure was funded by a grant from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.   

A total of 208 locations, 7 in Claremont, were tested during the operation. During the test at Wine and Liquor Market, 750 S. Indian Hill Blvd., one employee was arrested and issued a citation for selling alcohol to a minor, according to Claremont police. According to regulations, the penalty for selling alcohol, tobacco or lottery items to an individual under the legal age is a $1000 fine and 25 hours of service to the community.

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Harlen Rueda of Glendora may have found some temporary liquid courage, acting aggressively and skipping out on his bar tab at The Press on Friday night, but his temperament quickly changed when police came into the picture. The 24-year-old then paid his tab, but it was a little too late, according to Detective Robert Ewing. Though police may have sobered his mood, it did nothing for his blood alcohol content. Mr. Rueda was arrested for being drunk in public and held until sober.

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The Apple burglars strike again, this time at Chaparral Elementary School. As students made their exit on Thursday afternoon, the crooks made their entrance. By the time kids arrived at school the following morning, 3 of their Macintosh computers were missing. Police are following a lead, but no suspect has been identified.

Saturday, April 13

The Claremont United Church of Christ was targeted in an apparent gang-related vandalism between midnight on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13 at 10 p.m. A couple of glass windows were smashed and graffiti was scrawled across 2 exit doors on church property, according to Det. Ewing. The graffiti markings suggested the vandalism involved a local gang. A report was taken.

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The Claremont Police Department has another mascot other than Dodger the Drug Dog. An unclaimed black cow statue has made its way to the local police station after it was found left behind in the 200 block of Sixth Street. Claim your lost cow by calling the police department at 399-5411.

Monday, April 15

There were a number of reasons 51-year-old Adam Secor of Pomona should have stayed away from the Claremont Colleges, but he ignored all of them. The first reason was that he had already been in trouble for trespassing at the colleges before. Second, he was wanted by Glendora police for an outstanding violation.  Add to both those factors that he was also under the influence of a controlled substance, according to Det. Ewing. Mr. Secor’s next jaunt was to the local jail.

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The Claremont Police Department are searching for a man and woman accused of using a stolen credit card to purchase a PlayStation 3 gaming system from Target in La Verne.

On April 1 sometime between 8 and 8:45 p.m., suspects stole a credit card delivered by UPS to a home in the 300 block of Armstrong Drive in Claremont. The suspects were seen leaving the Target shopping center in a gray/brown Ford Expedition with dark wheels.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Claremont Police Department Detective Bureau at 399-5420.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com