Police Blotter: November 24, 2023

Tuesday, November 14
The Claremont Police Department responded to 200 W. First St. at 9:20 p.m. after someone reported that a man had stolen a mountain bike. Officers located the suspect, Richard Rodriguez, 53, of Pomona, on the bicycle in the area of Elder Drive and Arrow Highway. While Rodriguez was detained, police said he was in possession of methamphetamine, a concealed fixed blade knife, and a pair of bolt cutters consistent with burglary tools. Rodriguez was arrested for felony grand theft and felony receiving stolen property, as well as possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance and carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, all misdemeanors. He was transported to the Claremont jail, where he was booked and later released with a citation to appear at Pomona Superior Court.

Thursday, November 16
At 3:08 a.m. officers responded once again to 200 W. First St. for a report of a stolen bicycle. Officers located Upland resident Chad Stopyak, 34, riding the bike on Meredith Avenue near Clark Avenue, and detained him nearby. During a search police said they found methamphetamine and bolt cutters. Stopyak was arrested for felony grand theft and felony receiving stolen property, as well as misdemeanor possession of burglary tools and possession of a controlled substance. He was transported to the CPD jail where he was booked, and a later records check showed he had a warrant. He was released with a citation to appear in court.

Friday, November 17
Police were called to the 600 block of W. Arrow Highway at 10:33 p.m. after receiving a report of a suspicious man standing on the roof of a home. Arriving officers found a man standing in the home’s front yard who matched the caller’s description. Police detained 34-year-old Mark Amaro of San Bernardino, and a records check revealed an outstanding warrant. He was arrested for the warrant, and while in the jail was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. He was later transported to the West Valley Detention Center for the warrant and cited on the misdemeanor possession of narcotics charge.

Saturday, November 18
A resident of Colgate Place contacted police at 2:19 a.m. to say they could see someone attempting to get inside one of their cars. Officers later located a man matching the caller’s description asleep in a vehicle at The Claremont Lodge, 736 S. Indian Hill Blvd. Police ordered Los Angeles resident Deshan Godson, 27, out of the car but say he refused. Officers subsequently removed him from the car by force. Godson allegedly refused medical treatment afterward and no officers were hurt. Police said Godson was intoxicated and was allegedly in possession of stolen property from other vehicle thefts in the area. Police say Godson was also involved in an earlier call for services on Colgate Place. He was arrested for petty theft, resisting arrest, and possession of stolen property, all misdemeanors. He was then booked and later released with a citation.

At 7:18 a.m. Claremont police went to Auto Center Drive near Indian Hill Boulevard to assist another agency that was conducting surveillance on a car in the area. Three suspects returned to the vehicle to retrieve property and began driving away. A traffic stop was conducted on the driver and all three men were allegedly in possession of stolen property related to a commercial burglary outside of Claremont. Police arrested El Monte residents Arnold Sandoval, 39, Antonio Toscano, 44, and Guillermo Almeida, 46, for misdemeanor possession of stolen property. Sandoval also had a no-bail felony warrant for burglary out of El Monte and he was transported to El Monte PD for the warrant. The other subjects were later released pending further investigation.

Monday, November 20
An officer was speaking with a 45-year-old unhoused man in the parking lot of a business in the 300 block of S. Indian Hill Boulevard at 10:57 p.m. When the man stood up, a fixed blade knife allegedly fell to the ground. The man was arrested for misdemeanor possession of a dirk/dagger and taken to the Claremont jail where he was booked and later released with a citation.