Police blotter 12-13-13

Burglars breaking rear sliding glass doors to gain entry

A homeowner in the 400 block of Holyoke Place received an unexpected houseguest Tuesday morning. It started when the resident heard aggressive knocking on the front door around 11 a.m. As he walked toward the door, he heard glass shattering from behind him and spotted a male dressed in a blue nylon jacket and dark pants attempting to enter the home through a broken rear sliding glass door, according to police.

The suspect fled on foot and was last seen running south on Mills Avenue. He is described as black male, about 25 years old with short hair, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall with a stocky build.

Four other residential burglaries, including the incident at Holyoke Place, have occurred in the northeast area of Claremont north of Base Line Road between December 5 and December 10, according to police. Each crime occurred between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and in each case a burglar gained entry by smashing a rear sliding glass window. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

Friday, December 6

Activity in the Village got a jumpstart before the scheduled tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening. At around 1:30 p.m., a Claremont police officer observed a vehicle stopped at the intersection of Arrow Highway and Indian Hill Boulevard that was related to a strong-arm robbery reported in Claremont earlier in the day. When the driver saw the police officer, he attempted to flee by driving northbound on Indian Hill Boulevard. The pursuit ended on Oberlin Avenue, north of First Street in the Claremont Village, where the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

As the driver ran away, he stripped off his T-shirt and a bulletproof vest. A kilo of cocaine was located in the vehicle believed to belong to the suspect. While the driver was not located, a passenger, Sandra Diaz, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga was booked at the Claremont jail for the misdemeanor violation of possessing a methamphetamine pipe. She was later released with a citation

The related strong-arm robbery occurred at 7 a.m. in the 1400 block of Morton Circle. The victim alleged that friends of an acquaintance came into her apartment and stole property including cash, keys to her vehicle and electronics. When she attempted to stop them, a television was thrown at her and used to hold her down to the ground. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. Investigation is ongoing.

Saturday, December 7

A black-hooded sweatshirt did little to disguise a 28-year-old Rancho Cucamonga resident who was up to no good in the Claremont Village Saturday night. A witness spotted Kevin Pierce rifling through an unlocked vehicle in the back parking lot of Espiau’s Restaurant, 109 Yale Ave., at around 8 p.m. Police caught up with him nearby. Not only was Mr. Pierce found in possession of a black and silver metal case that did not belong to him. He also had on his person a sock filled with hypodermic needles and a bundle of heroin, according to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and petty theft.

Sunday, December 8

A barking dog was the last straw for a frustrated man in the Super King parking lot on Sunday afternoon. A woman sitting in her parked car along with a baby and a dog claims a man in the backseat of the car next to her brandished what appeared to be a black handgun at her and her pet, allegedly threatening to shoot if the dog attacked. The car drove off without incident, but not before the woman could snap a picture of the vehicle’s license plate. The driver was stopped and police were able to locate an unloaded BB gun. The minor was cited for exhibiting a firearm.

Monday, December 9

On Sunday, November 24, a 47-year-old Claremont man was taken into custody after a several-hour struggle atop California Bank and Trust in the Claremont Village. On Monday, December 9, the man took to the rooftops of the 200 block of First Street once again, appearing agitated and threatening as before to jump off the building and kill himself, according to Lt. Ciszek. Police were again able to take the man into custody without incident. He was transported to a local hospital for a mental evaluation.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com