Police Blotter: June 2, 2023

Sunday, May 21

At 5:16 p.m. the Claremont Police Department received a call from a man in the parking lot of Trader Joe’s at 475 W. Foothill Blvd. who said someone had just removed his mother’s wallet from her purse. The caller described the suspect as a heavy set man wearing a flower print shirt and a mask. Officers located the suspect, later identified as Paolo Cantillana-Vazquez, 53, with no known city of origin, on Baughman Avenue, where a foot pursuit ensued.

The chase reportedly went through backyards, eventually crossing Foothill Boulevard until officers were able to apprehend Cantillana-Vazquez in the lobby of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Claremont. The victim then identified Cantillana-Vazquez as the person who allegedly stole her wallet, but it was not recovered. Cantillana-Vazquez was arrested and charged with felony grand theft, misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest.

He was taken to the Claremont jail, where a background check showed he had a full felony extradition warrant in Maryland. He was issued a citation on the Claremont charges and later transferred to West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga to await extradition.

Monday, May 22

Police pulled over a car driven by Pomona resident Joseph Lee, 32, at 2:41 p.m. near Eighth Street and Indian Hill Boulevard because of an alleged traffic violation. While the officer was speaking with Lee, a witness called police to report someone had thrown a gun out of Lee’s car as he was being pulled over. Additional officers then responded and found the gun. Police detained Lee and during a search of the car allegedly found narcotics. Police also reported that there was a child in the car. Lee was arrested for being felon in possession of firearm, possession of firearm and narcotics, and child abuse, all felonies. He was taken to jail, booked, and held for court.

Wednesday, May 24

An employee of Espiau’s Restaurant, 109 N. Yale Ave., called police at 9:20 a.m. to report someone had entered the business and stolen two cell phones and some cash. After viewing the restaurant’s surveillance video one officer recognized the suspected thief from a previous encounter. Several hours later, officers spotted a man in the area of Foothill Boulevard and Towne Avenue wearing the same clothes as the suspect, 22-year-old Henry Flores Hernandez of Pomona. Police reported he still had the stolen property in his possession. Flores Hernandez was arrested and charged with felony burglary and possession of stolen property. He was taken to the Claremont jail where he was booked and released with a citation to appear in court.

Thursday, May 25

At 5 a.m. someone called police to report a traffic accident had occurred in the front yard of a residence in the 500 block Sycamore Avenue. Arriving officers questioned Micqueela Wilson, 32, who allegedly said she was the driver. Police said she displayed symptoms of alcohol intoxication and then conducted sobriety tests. She was arrested for DUI, transported to the Claremont jail, held for detoxification, and released with a citation to appear at Pomona Superior Court.

A Riverside resident called Claremont police Thursday morning to report a stolen car’s tracking device indicated it was in Claremont. Around 11 a.m. police pulled over George Mendoza, 32, also of Riverside, on Baseline Road near Mountain Avenue. Mendoza was arrested for felony vehicle theft, misdemeanor DUI, and driving on a suspended license. He was taken to the CPD jail, booked, and held for court.

At 8:09 p.m. someone called police saying they were fearful that the occupant of a vehicle parked in the 200 block of Armstrong Drive might be dead. Arriving officers found Norwalk resident Angelo Tamayo, who was very much alive, but they suspected he might have been under the influence of drugs. Tamayo was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance after he allegedly failed field sobriety tests. He was transported to the Claremont jail, booked, held for detoxification, and released with a citation to appear in court.

Friday, May 26

Officers pulled over Rancho Cucamonga resident Javier Mora, 31, at 10:43 p.m. on Indian Hill near Oak Park Drive for a traffic violation. After speaking with the driver, police suspected he might be intoxicated. He allegedly failed field sobriety tests and was arrested for DUI, transported to the Claremont jail, booked, held for detoxification, and released with a citation to appear in court.

A short time later police made a traffic stop on Pomona resident Joseph Lee, 32, at Indian Hill at San Bernardino Avenue for alleged equipment and moving violations. Police say he also displayed symptoms of intoxication and he was arrested for DUI after allegedly failing sobriety tests. A passenger who had two misdemeanor warrants was issued a citation and released at the scene. Police say it is the same Joseph Lee who was arrested May 22 on felony charges of being felon in possession of firearm, possession of firearm and narcotics, and child abuse.