Police Blotter: January 5, 2024
by Steven Felschundneff | steven@claremont-courier.com
Monday, December 18
The Claremont Police Department was called to Claremont Toyota, 601 Auto Center Dr. at 8:07 a.m. about a man confronting employees. A person matching the description provided by employees was detained by officers a short distance away. A records check revealed that the 28-year-old unhoused man had a felony warrant from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department. He was arrested and taken to the Claremont jail where he was booked and later transferred to the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga and held for court.
Tuesday, December 19
Police responded to Cambridge Avenue and Ninth Street at 11:20 a.m. after receiving a call that someone was throwing rocks at cars. An officer located transient Anthony Telles, 24, nearby and detained him. Police allege Telles was using racial slurs while throwing rocks at the victim, who sustained minor injuries from broken glass. He was arrested for felony assault with a deadly weapon, felony vandalism, and felony violation of civil rights, then booked at the CPD jail and held for bail/court. Telles was allegedly involved in another “hate incident” in Claremont on November 24.
Thursday, December 21
At 7 p.m., police were called to the 200 block of Meredith Street after receiving a call about a domestic dispute. Arriving officers questioned a woman who police said had visible injuries from an altercation with her boyfriend. Police said the suspect, a 55-year-old Diamond Bar man, attempted to flee but officers caught up with him a short distance away. The man was arrested for felony domestic violence and taken to the Claremont jail, where he was booked and later posted bond.
Friday, December 22
An officer on patrol at 9:44 a.m. checked the registration of a car parked at Motel 6, 840 S. Indian Hill Blvd., and discovered the owner had a felony warrant in Orange County. Police then arrested David Meiers, 54, of Huntington Beach, who had checked into a room. Meiers was taken to the CPD jail and released with a citation after officers received instructions from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Sunday, December 24
A Pasadena man probably should have made other plans for the holidays after he was arrested for DUI twice in less than 24 hours. On Christmas Eve, Luis Puga, 31, reportedly asked a passerby for assistance while inside the parking structure in the 100 block of W. First Street. A witness flagged down a Claremont Police officer at 9:28 p.m. and alerted the officer that Puga might be intoxicated. Police questioned Puga after he drove his car down through the parking structure and allege he was under the influence of drugs. He was arrested for DUI and taken to the Claremont jail where he was booked and held for detoxification. Then at 6:12 p.m. Christmas day, police were called to the intersection of Indian Hill Boulevard and First Street regarding a single vehicle collision. When officers arrived, they found Puga and allege he was once again DUI. This time he was taken to jail, booked, and later released to a hospital for an unknown medical condition.
Thursday, December 28
The man who led police on a dramatic multi-city pursuit on December 15 was arrested by Claremont police on multiple felony charges. Ryan Screnar, 37, of Upland was charged with felony evading, felony evading while driving in opposite direction of traffic, felony vandalism, felony assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, misdemeanor vandalism and misdemeanor violation of a court order. Screnar is now in custody at the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles and was arraigned on Tuesday.
Saturday, December 30
An unknown witness called police at 12:32 a.m. to report an apparent domestic altercation in one of the guest rooms at the DoubleTree Hotel, 555 W. Foothill Blvd. Officers located a male victim standing outside the hotel room and report he had visible injuries to his face. After questioning the man’s wife, a 46-year-old Thousand Oaks woman, police said they determined she had struck her husband during an argument. She was arrested for felony domestic violence, taken to the Claremont jail, booked, and held for court.
