Police Blotter: March 14, 2025

by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Monday, March 3

Claremont Police Department officers stopped cyclist Andrew McClain, 57, of Pomona, at 3:52 a.m. near Foothill Boulevard and Sumner Avenue for a moving violation. McClain allegedly then told officers he had a methamphetamine pipe in his possession, and after a search he was arrested for misdemeanor possession of a drug paraphernalia. He was transported to CPD, booked, and released with a citation to appear at Pomona Superior Court.

Officers responded to a 7:26 a.m. call about burglary in progress in the 700 block of W. Eighth Street. Arriving officers spoke with the victim, who said a man had entered her apartment, taken items, and fled. Police found 46-year-old Pomona resident Darnell Buckhalter a short distance away. After the victim identified him as the person who had been in her apartment, Buckhalter was arrested for felony burglary, transported to CPD, booked, and held for court. He appeared at Pomona Superior Court March 5, was transferred to Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles March 10, and is due back at the Hollywood Courthouse on March 19.

Claremont PD traveled to the 1500 block of N. Euclid Avenue in Ontario after GPS data showed a motorcycle stolen March 1 from the Pomona College parking structure at 295 E. First St. was at the residence. Arriving officers questioned David St. Peter, 32, of Placerville, and 35-year-old Ontario resident Marjorie Burford. St. Peter was arrested for grand theft auto and possession of a stolen vehicle, both felonies, and Burford for felony possession of a stolen vehicle. Both were transported to CPD, booked, and released pending further investigation.

Police responded to calls about a man stealing from AM/PM, 701 E. Foothill Blvd., at 2:42 p.m. Witnesses said a man tried to take food and a cashier’s cell phone before fleeing on a bicycle. Police located Pomona resident Angel Duenas, 27, nearby. After being identified by witnesses, Duenas was arrested for shoplifting and attempted robbery, both felonies, and petty theft with a prior conviction, a misdemeanor. He was transported to the Claremont jail, booked, and held for court. On March 7, a Pomona Superior Court judge sentenced Duenas to be held at North County Correctional Facility in Castaic until July 10.

Wednesday, March 5

Police responded to Harrison and Towne avenues at 2:53 a.m. after a car crashed into parked vehicles. Officers questioned the driver, Rancho Cucamonga resident Briana Zapata Soto, 26, who was subsequently arrested for misdemeanor DUI. She was transported to CPD, booked, held for detoxification, and released with a citation.

Thursday, March 6

At 8:53 p.m. March 1 in the 200 block of W. First Street, Claremont police say they saw a man stealing a bicycle before fleeing on foot and damaging a nearby residence’s fence in the process. Officers located the suspect, a 28-year-old unhoused man, at 3:21 a.m. March 6 near First Street and Harvard Avenue, and arrested him for felony petty theft with a prior conviction, and vandalism and possession of stolen property, both misdemeanors. He was transported to the CPD jail, booked, and held for court. He appeared at Pomona Superior Court March 10, then transferred to North County Correctional Facility in Castaic in lieu of $45,000 bail. He is due back in Pomona Court on March 24.