Police blotter 9.29.12

Burglars busy on day usually reserved for rest and relaxation

On Sunday, September 23 a house burglar in the 100 of College Way didn’t just take jewelry or electronics, he took the whole front door. A realtor in charge of the home was contacted by a neighbor and told that the front door of the residence was left open. The realtor arrived to find that the door was missing altogether. The oven and a couple silk plants were also missing. Police believe the burglar entered the home by using the realtor’s key stored in a secured lock box at the location. The damage is estimated at about $1450. There are no suspects at this time.

Wednesday, September 19

A skateboarder took a hard fall Wednesday night, but not as the result of a fancy skateboarding trick. The skateboarder allegedly glided through the intersection of Harvard and Bonita Avenue and collided with a vehicle making a left- hand turn onto Bonita. The driver continued on without stopping, while the skateboarder received medical treatment for his wrist and a reminder that riding skateboards in the Village is a violation of the city’s municipal code. The driver was not located.

Thursday, September 20

A couple learned an unfortunate lesson in picking their battles Thursday night. After fighting with a stranger on the first level of the Village West parking structure, 470 W. First St., a man and his girlfriend drove up the structure and parked their vehicle on the top level. They later found a football-sized rock thrown through the rear window of the car. The stranger involved in the fight is suspected of the crime. He is described as a 6-foot-tall white male with blonde hair, weighing 170 pounds. He was wearing a John Deere shirt at the time of the incident.

Friday, September 21

A strange man caused residents alarm when he was found hiding in the bushes of a residence in the 800 block of West Bonita Avenue. Manuel Corrales, 32, claimed his ex-girlfriend lived in the area and he was trying to get some of his belongings back from her apartment. Whether or not that story is true, he also happened to have a restraining order to keep away from this particular ex-girlfriend. Mr. Corrales was arrested for violating that court order.

Saturday, September 22

A resident in the 400 block of Marygrove Road came to the aid of a neighbor seeking refuge from an abusive ex-boyfriend around 1 a.m. The woman said her ex-boyfriend, who was supposed to keep away from her per a restraining order, had arrived at her house and assaulted her, hitting her in the face with his fist 3 times. She had visible swelling to her face. The neighbor took in the girl and called the police as the ex-boyfriend attempted to break into the neighbor’s house. When police arrived, the man continued to be aggressive, kicking officers and resisting arrest. Police were finally able to restrain him and take him into the police station, where the trouble continued. When officers attempted to take fingerprints at the time of booking, he fought again, and a taser was used to restrain him. Because of the taser, he was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and once released was sent to county jail. He is being charged with violating a court order as well as resisting/obstructing an officer.

Sunday, September 23

A couple of residents in the 800 block of Kent Drive received an unpleasant surprise when they discovered a person they assumed was a family member in the house was actually a burglar. By the time the discovery was made, it was too late. The burglar took off with a watch valued at $200. He is described as a 30-year-old white male, weighing about 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a tan shirt with numbers written on it.

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A visitor to the Claremont Colleges arrived on campus around 5:30 p.m. and was unable to leave, and not because of a newfound love for Claremont or because of an impromptu sleepover. The visitor returned to their Jeep, parked in the 500 block of Ninth Street, to find that all 4 wheels were missing. The Jeep was found idle atop a set of blocks. The stolen tires are an estimated $800 to replace.

Monday, September 24

A couple of 17-year-old high school students playing hooky didn’t get very far Monday afternoon. The pair was spotted by a proctor at nearby Cahuilla Park, one with a Gatorade bottle filled with vodka. The student without a drink was sent back to class. The other was sent to jail until released to his mother.

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A motorcyclist was airlifted to the hospital Monday morning after sustaining injuries from an accident that threw him from his bike near the intersection of Arrow Highway and Mountain Avenue. The driver of the other vehicle involved had reportedly made a left in front of the motorcycle and they collided. The motorcyclist was conscious, but told officers that he was unable to feel his legs. He was airlifted to USC Medical for further assistance. His condition is unknown at this time.

Tuesday, September 25

Nearly 100 plants were reported missing from the front yard of a residence located within a gated community in the 100 block of Castleton Drive. The green heist took place sometime between 7:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. A police report was taken and investigation continues.

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A thief took off on a solo joyride on a stolen tandem bicycle early Tuesday morning. The bicycle was stolen from a residence in the 600 block of Leyden Lane, located within Pilgrim Place. The thief used bolt cutters to forcibly remove the bike, valued at about $2,000. He is described as a white male wearing a baseball hat, a gray sweater and gray sweatpants.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com