Police Blotter: October 25, 2024

by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com 

Tuesday, October 15

Claremont Police Department officers responded to the Chevron gas station, 699 E. Foothill Blvd., after a 1:03 p.m. call regarding a man threatening an employee. Police arrived and questioned Pomona resident Otis Felton, 19. A records check revealed he had two misdemeanor warrants. Police arrested Felton for felony criminal threats and his warrants. Police allegedly found a tip jar from Blue Fin Sushi and Teriyaki in his possession, but the business declined to press charges after it was returned. Felton was taken to CPD jail, booked, and released with citations to appear at Pomona Superior Court.

Wednesday, October 16

Police were called to Indian Hill Boulevard and San Jose Avenue at 1:57 p.m. because a car was impeding traffic. Officers said the driver, Joseph Otto, 37, of San Dimas, was asleep at the wheel with his engine running. After field sobriety tests he was arrested for misdemeanor DUI, booked at CPD, provided a chemical sample, and was held for detoxification. He was later released with a citation.

At 8:43 p.m., police were called to a residence in the 600 block of S. College Avenue due to a family disturbance. Police spoke with two people and determined a domestic violence incident had taken place, leading to the arrest of a 54-year-old Claremont man for felony domestic violence. The man was taken to CPD, booked, and later released on bond. He appeared at Pomona Superior Court Department A on October 18. Court records show the felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.

Thursday, October 17

Claremont police responded to a 2 a.m. call from Claremont Colleges Campus Safety officers regarding a man at the former Claremont School of Theology location at 1325 N. College Ave. They believed he was there with the intention of stealing bicycles. Arriving CPD officers searched 43-year-old David Mellem, of Claremont, and allegedly found him to be in possession of a methamphetamine pipe and burglary tools. He was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and burglary tools, both misdemeanors, and booked at CPD. He was later released with a citation to appear in court.

Friday, October 18

Police stopped La Verne resident Brian Keehmer, 42, near Towne Avenue and Scripps Drive at 1:20 a.m. for a moving violation. After officers questioned him and administered field sobriety tests he was arrested for misdemeanor DUI, booked at CPD, provided a chemical sample, and was held for detoxification. He was later released with a citation.

Saturday, October 19

CPD officers were doing a 2:45 a.m. welfare check behind a business in the 600 block of Wharton Drive, where they questioned a 30-year-old unhoused man who allegedly admitted to having a meth pipe on him. A search allegedly turned up the pipe and methamphetamine, leading to his arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance, misdemeanors. The man was booked at CPD and later released with a citation.

At 11:55 p.m., officers pulled over a car driven by Karinna Torres, 25, of Pomona, near Arrow Highway and Indian Hill Boulevard for equipment violations. During questioning, police say she displayed symptoms of intoxication. A records check revealed Torres had a suspended license and two misdemeanor warrants. After field sobriety tests she was arrested for DUI, driving on a suspended license, and the warrants, all misdemeanors. Torres was booked at CPD, detoxed, and was later released with a citation.

Sunday, October 20

Police pulled over Rancho Cucamonga resident Florence West, 56, at Towne Avenue and the 210 Freeway for moving and equipment violations at 2:06 a.m. Following field sobriety tests she was arrested for misdemeanor DUI and booked at CPD. After detoxing she was released with a citation.

After getting a call about a man walking in the street, police questioned a 47-year-old unhoused man near Foothill and Indian Hill boulevards at 9:05 p.m. A records check revealed a felony Los Angeles County warrant, and he was arrested, booked at the CPD, then transported to the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles, where he was held for court. He was transferred to Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles on October 21 and is due at Hollywood Superior Court Department 203 on November 5.

CPD received a 10:31 p.m. call about a suspicious person in the 3100 block of Lansbury Avenue. Arriving officers spoke with Armando Lopez, 54, of Claremont. A records check turned up a misdemeanor Claremont warrant. He was arrested, taken to the Claremont jail, booked, and later released with a citation.