Police Blotter: October 14, 2022
Monday, October 3
At 12:39 p.m. the Claremont Police Department received numerous calls about a man in the 2400 block of Bonnie Brae Avenue who was exposing himself. Officers responded a short time later and two witnesses pointed out the suspect. When police contacted the 36-year-old unhoused man, he reportedly said he was urinating. Video surveillance obtained by the police allegedly showed the subject exposing himself. A search allegedly revealed he was in possession of methamphetamine and a glass pipe. He was arrested for indecent exposure, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors. He was transported to CPD jail where he was booked and later released with a citation to appear at Pomona Superior Court.
Officers on patrol at 8:51 p.m. reportedly saw a white 2012 Chevrolet Traverse run a stop sign at the intersection of San Jose and College avenues. Police contacted the driver, identified as Pacoima resident Tyrell Douglas, 29, and a records check allegedly revealed a felony no-bail warrant from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office. Douglas was transported to the Claremont jail, booked, and held until he could be transferred to the Inmate Reception Center, also known as Twin Towers, in Los Angeles, where he was held for court.
Tuesday, October 4
Claremont College campus safety called CPD at 3:57 p.m. about a bicycle theft in progress at Dartmouth Avenue at E. Platt Boulevard. When officers responded, a campus safety officer said he had witnessed the suspect, 39-year-old Upland resident Steven Undello, steal a black Trek road bike valued at $1,129. When campus safety confronted Undello, he allegedly abandoned the bicycle and walked away. Officers were able to locate the suspect and detain him. He denied stealing the bike, instead reportedly claiming it belonged to his sister. Campus safety provided an internal bulletin allegedly showing the suspect riding a Felt bicycle reported stolen earlier in the week. The rightful owner of the Trek was located and confirmed the bike had been stolen. Undello was arrested for felony grand theft, transported to jail, booked, and released with citation.
Thursday, October 6
At 5:51 p.m. police were called about a white minivan with a blown-out tire emanating smoke as it headed north on Padua Avenue. Police arrived at the intersection of Padua and Base Line Road to discover a hit-and-run crash allegedly involving the white van. According to police, a woman driving northbound on Padua in a blue Nissan Versa said the suspect, Robert Whitehead, 57, from Claremont, intentionally rammed her vehicle and tried to push her through a red light and into the intersection. Police say several witnesses confirmed this account. The suspect in the van fled north on Padua and was seen heading toward Padua Hills Theater. A short time later officers located the van in a Palmer Canyon driveway, which is in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Police contacted Whitehead in his home, and he was detained. Police allegedly verified the minivan in the driveway had a shredded front passenger tire. The victim identified Whitehead as the person who rammed her vehicle. He was arrested for felony assault with deadly weapon — the van — and was transported to CPD jail and booked. While in the jail he allegedly destroyed a phone, and an additional felony of damaging jail property was added. He was held in jail in front of his Wednesday, October 19 court date.
Friday, October 7
At 3:14 a.m. officers allegedly saw a car traveling erratically near San Jose Avenue and Indian Hill Boulevard and followed it as it headed east on Arrow Highway. Police say the vehicle swerved and crossed over the double yellow lines in the center of the road. As the driver, Los Alamos, Mexico resident Eli Iramkbent, 20, attempted to turn left at College Avenue, he allegedly almost struck the curb, prompting officers to make a traffic stop at Kirkwood Avenue. Police say Iramkbent appeared to have been drinking, and they performed field sobriety tests. He was arrested for misdemeanor DUI and transported to CPD jail, where police say his blood alcohol level was 1.5 times over the legal limit of .08. He was booked, held for detoxification, and released with a citation.
Saturday, October 8
Police received a call at 11:34 a.m. about a motorist who had driven into the front yard of a home in the 200 block of San Jose Avenue. When police arrived a short time later, they found Montclair resident Cruz Leyva, 56, whom they say was slumped over the wheel of his car. Police helped him out and say they observed signs he’d been drinking. Witnesses say Leyva’s car crashed into the curb before coming to rest in the home’s yard. A witness then took his keys so Leyva would not be able to continue driving. Police say he was not able to perform field sobriety tests. He was arrested on misdemeanor DUI charges and transported to CPD jail, where a breath test allegedly showed he was three times over the legal limit of .08. He was booked, held for detoxification, and released with citation.
At 11:32 p.m. police received a call from a resident in the 1500 block of Finecroft Drive reporting a family disturbance at a neighbor’s home. Moments later, a resident at the home in question called police to report that an unknown subject was trying to kick open her front door. The suspect, Upland resident James Holm, 38, then walked into a side yard, where officers questioned him. Police say Holm appeared drunk and was acting erratically. Officers confirmed damage to the front door which they say was consistent with being kicked. Furthermore, marks on the door allegedly matched Holm’s shoe prints. He was arrested for felony attempted burglary, transported to CPD jail booked and held for court.
