Police Blotter: October 20, 2023

Tuesday, October 10
The Claremont Police Department responded to the 200 block of Andover Drive at 1:14 p.m. for a reported act of vandalism. A witness told police that someone shot a BB gun at the home’s rear glass door, and was able to give officers a vehicle description. Police located the vehicle a short distance away and detained the two occupants. A sling shot and pellet gun were allegedly inside the car. Police said the same vehicle was seen on surveillance video at the residence on prior occasions when the home was vandalized. Officers arrested Cesar Barajas, 58, of Pomona for felony vandalism and misdemeanor possession of narcotics and Nancy Plant, 35, of Pomona for misdemeanor possession of narcotics and paraphernalia. The pair were taken to the Claremont jail, booked and later released pending further investigation.

Wednesday, October 11
Police were called to the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Harvard Avenue at 2 a.m. to investigate a traffic collision. Upon arrival police spotted a vehicle that had collided with heavy construction equipment parked at the location. Police contacted the alleged driver, Kelli Perluss, 34, of Chino and suspected she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. She was arrested for felony DUI after performing field sobriety tests. Perluss was taken to the Claremont jail where she was booked and held for court.

 Police were called to California Bank and Trust, 102 N. Yale Ave., at 10:53 a.m. regarding a man who was attempting to cash an fraudulent check. Studio City resident Paul Moten, 46, had allegedly altered the check before presenting it to a teller. He was arrested for felony possession of a fictitious bill/check and possession of stolen property, taken to the CPD jail and booked. During a search he was found to be in possession of three additional altered checks. Moten was later released with a citation to appear at Pomona Superior Court.

Police responded to the 800 block of Bonita Avenue at 11:36 p.m. due to a domestic disturbance. Officers located a male and female at the residence, who were in a dating relationship, along with two young children. During their investigation officers determined that the 40-year-old Glendora man was the primary combatant and that the female had physical injuries. The man was arrested for felony domestic violence, felony child abuse because the children were present, and a misdemeanor warrant. He was taken to the Claremont jail until he could be transported to the Los Angeles County Jail where he was held for court.

Thursday, October 12
Officers were called at 9:02 a.m. by a security guard at 200 W. First St. regarding a man pacing in the area while holding a machete. Officers contacted Pomona resident Richard Freeman, 49, still outside the business holding the weapon. He was arrested for misdemeanor exhibiting a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance, and taken to the Claremont jail where he was booked. He was later released for medical reasons.

Friday, October 13
At 1:06 a.m. police pulled over a driver on N. San Antonio Avenue in Pomona for a moving violation. Officers contacted the driver, Francisco Garcia, 43, of Pomona and suspected he might be intoxicated. He was asked to perform field sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested for DUI. During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly found open alcohol containers and ammunition. Police said a records check confirmed he had prior felony convictions prohibiting him from being in possession of the ammunition. He was arrested and booked for being a felon in possession of ammunition, a felony, as well as misdemeanor DUI, and possession of armor piercing ammunition. At the police station, Garcia allegedly refused to provide a chemical sample, so police acquired a warrant for a blood sample. However, he continued to refuse so an additional misdemeanor charge of refusing a court order was added. Garcia was held for court.

Sunday, October 15
Police were called to the 400 block of Vista Drive at 2 a.m. for a possible domestic disturbance. When officers arrived they reported hearing yelling coming from inside the residence and contacted a male at the door who had visible injuries. A female at the home also had visible injuries, and a child was also present. A 38-year-old Claremont man was arrested for felony domestic violence and misdemeanor child abuse. He was booked at CPD jail and held for court.

Officers responded to Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 435 N. Berkeley Ave., at 4:11 a.m. after being alerted that a man was trying to kick in a side door. When officers arrived they detained Pomona resident Lee Huffman, 40, still on church property. While searching the property police said they found evidence that Huffman forced entry into the church, ransacked several cabinets and then broke vases, pews, and statues. Additionally, police said he was in possession of stolen property from the church. He was arrested for felony burglary and felony vandalism and later booked at the Claremont jail and held for court.

Officers responded to 800 block of S. Indian Hill Blvd. at 1 p.m. about a possible battery in progress and a female yelling for someone to call 911. Officers contacted a man and a woman at the location and alleged that the male brandished a knife and threatened to stab his girlfriend. Police said the two engaged in a mutual physical fight. Police arrested the man, a 63-year-old Highland resident, for felony domestic violence. He was transported to the CPD jail, booked, and later transferred to the L.A. County Jail where he was held for court.