Police blotter 1-10-14
Thursday, January 2
With Automated License Plate Reader cameras installed above intersections throughout the city, it can go without saying that stealing a car in Claremont likely won’t go unnoticed. However, it didn’t stop three 20-somethings with not only taking a car in Claremont, but lingering in the City of Trees with the stolen vehicle on Thursday afternoon.
License plate readers alerted police of the stolen vehicle traveling east on Foothill Boulevard around 2:30 p.m. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Towne Avenue.
However, the driver—23-year-old Darlene Luna of West Covina—refused to slow down. Police were led on a 17-mile pursuit that continued on the 10 and 57 freeways. Ms. Luna exited Temple and finally came to a stop after finding herself in the parking lot of the Cal Poly Farm Store, according to police. Ms. Luna surrendered to officers, but 20-year-old Kevin Tes of Pomona, a passenger, decided to make one more run for it. He was arrested a short distance away. He was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting an officer.
Ms. Luna was booked for driving a stolen vehicle and felony evading. Both were held at the Claremont Police Department in lieu of $75,000 bail each.
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The farmers of the Pomona College Organic Farm had some extra cleanup after the holidays. Sometime between December 31 and January 2 vandals broke into the college homestead, breaking two plastic chairs, shattering a window and making off with a wooden arch used to block a window frame without glass. The damage is estimated at about $200.
Friday, January 3
Christmas is known as the season of giving, but in the case of Harvey Mudd College, the holiday break became quite the opposite. Administration returned to campus on Friday to find 23 iPads worth about $15,000 missing from a portable classroom in the 1200 block of Dartmouth Ave. There were no signs of forced entry into the classroom; two faculty members and 40 students have keycard access to the room, according to Lieutenant Mike Ciszek. Investigation continues.
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A Claremont resident received a call from her grandson, who identified himself by name, informing her that he had been arrested in Las Vegas and needed to be bailed out of jail. After notifying her grandson’s father, a second man, who identified himself as a police officer from the Las Vegas police department, told the boy’s father that he would need to pay $3000 over the phone for his son’s release. The father arranged the payment. Shortly after, it was discovered that his son was safe in San Diego and the phone call was a scam. A police report was taken.
Saturday, January 4
Police are looking for a man involved in a smash-and-grab burglary in the 1100 block of Briarcroft Road on Saturday afternoon. Shortly after noon, a witness saw a Caucasian male, believe to be in his 20s or early 30s, smash a car window and take off in a red, older model four-door vehicle with a stolen purse in tow. The man is described as having sandy blonde hair, clean cut, and standing about 5 feet 10 inches tall. Any information should be reported to the Claremont Police Department at 399-5411.
Sunday, January 5
A Claremont resident took out his anger on a parked car in the 700 block of Occidental Drive on Sunday afternoon around 2:45 p.m. Dominic Vedder, 22, got in some aerobic exercise jumping on the car. The vehicle had been keyed and had various other damage to the roof, hood and sides, according to Lt. Ciszek. Reports indicate that a relationship gone awry might have been the source of Mr. Vedder’s frustration. Regardless, he was arrested for vandalism.
Tuesday, January 7
A resident in the 100 block of East College Way took an expensive hit on Tuesday. Crooks pried their way into the Village home and made off with more than $4000 in jewelry, CDs and DVDs. A report was taken, but there are no witnesses.
—Beth Hartnett
news@claremont-courier.com
